INSIDE — Homeowners win interim rulings in Costco case — Page 8 NORTH MISSISSIPPI
Memphis area awaits outcome of Amazon headquarters ‘sweepstakes’ — Page 3
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December 1, 2017 • Vo. 39. No. 48 • 20 pages
HOMETOWN WHISKEY
MISSISSIPPI
Legal Mississippi-made bourbon becomes a reality
State’s trade mission to Cuba stymied by Trump orders
MBJ FOCUS
By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com With some exceptions, American travelers won’t be able to stay in famed writer Ernest Hemingway’s favorite Havana hotel. The Hotel Ambos Mundo is on the state Department’s restricted list issued in November. One hundred and eighty government-owned businesses, including 83 hotels, are on the Cuba Restrictions List imposed on Nov. 9. What does the hotel restrictions have to do with the Mississippi economy? Nothing directly, but when Cubans get hungry, they go for protein, said John Patchoski of Koch Foods in Pascagoula, a chicken processor. “Obviously if tourism is hurt then there is less money going into the pockets of the Cuban citizens,” Patchoski said in an email. “When they have extra money they tend to spend it on protein, American chicken being one of best priced proteins they can buy. So there could be a drop in consumption from less tourists and less money in the Cuban pockets.” The restrictions imposed by Trump as executive orders – a favorite strategy of his predecessor, President Barack Obama – seek to deny government-owned
Banking & Finance {Section begins P10}
» Importance of chief financial officers continues to increase » Hope begins credit union at Provine
{The List P14}
» Small Business Administration Approved Lenders
— Page 2 WE LAW Column {P8}
» Divorce, alimony and the GOP tax plan
JACK WEATHERLY/MBJ
See CUBA, Page 2
David Rich shows off barrels for his bourbon.
http://msbusiness.com/events/50-leading-business-women/
2 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 1, 2017 HOMETOWN WHISKEY
Legal Mississippi-made bourbon becomes reality Which is not to say that Mississippi has been totally remiss in the craft distillery trend, which had more than 1,500 distilleries as of August, according to the American Craft Spirits Association. Rich Grain Distillery is the third legal distillery opened in MisSoon, bourbon fans will be able to sip the first whiskey made legally in sissippi in the past decade. Mississippi since 1908. Jackson-based Cathead Distillery sells vodkas, gin and a That’s when the state anticipated by some 10 years the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by banning the making and sale of alcohol liqueur, but plans to release it first bourbon next summer, said Richard Patrick, who co-founded the business with in the Magnolia State. Austin Evans about nine years ago. Patrick said the distiller thus far has 600, 53-gallon barrels of high-ryecontent bourbon that has been “aging gracefully” for several years, some of it since 2011, Patrick said. The Crittenden Distillery in Kiln close to making and marketing whiskey, Rich says. Efforts to contract the distillery for this article were not successful. Charboneau Distillery in Natchez started producing rum three years ago. Rich Grain Distillery started producing corn liquor nearly 18 months ago. Some of it was set aside to start aging in oaken barrels. He said he used small barrels to speed Ray Isle up the process, without hurting quality. Executive editor, Food and Wine Ray Isle, executive wine editor of Wine and Food magazine, agrees with Rich about the quality. Isle, recently visited all 50 states and selected one distillery or brewery in each But Mississippi jumped on the prohibition band wagon. It was the first state and said in an article that “distiller Dave Rich makes state to ratify the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That hap- some of the best spirits we’ve tasted lately. Sign up for one of the regular Saturday tours, then sample his superb carapened on Jan. 8, 1918. mel-tinged bourbon.” The amendment was repealed in 1933. BJ RLY/M EATHE Rich said he does not see other Mississippi craft distilleries Mississippi, stubbornly held onto its abstinence position, becoming JACK W as competitors. the last state to ratify the 21stamendment, in 1966. Patrick said whiskey-making is a matter of taste, whether the Fifty years later, an Ole Miss graduate and young mechanical engineer David Rich started making corn whiskey small-barrel approach by Rich or the big-barrel method he prefers. shifted careers from aerospace to whiskey making. 18 months ago, and put some of it in “It’s really us against the world,” Rich said. “We’re not competing Starting around Dec. 1, David Rich will be offering in Mississippi libarrels to age and become bourbon. against each other; we’re competing against the big guys.” quor stores bourbon made at his Canton distillery.
By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com
“Distiller Dave Rich makes some of the best spirits we’ve tasted lately. Sign up for one of the regular Saturday tours, then sample his superb caramel-tinged bourbon.”
CUBA Continued from, Page 1
businesses from benefiting from American trade. Cuba, a communist country still under the control of the Castro family, is widely criticized for its human rights violations, according to Human Rights Watch. Trump in June vowed to do what he could the end “the long reign of suffering” under the regime established after the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro, who died last year. His brother, Raul, is currently president. The Mississippi Development Authority, which says it does not take a position on federal policy, had been enthusiastic about possible increased
trade with the nation of 11 million people. Rose Boxx, director of MDA’s International Trade Division, said in March, a month after the agency led a trip to Cuba to explore possibilities: “The areas holding the most potential are . . . food products such as produce, poultry, rice and other agricultural products and for logistics in the case of our two deep water ports, Gulfport and Pascagoula, Cuba imports most of the commodities they consume and use on a daily basis.” She said the ports signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cuba National Port Administration during the trade mission. Poultry accounted for $2.9 billion of the state’s
$7.6 billion agricultural value in 2016. Laurel-based Sanderson Farms, the nation’s No. 3 poultry producer, did not send a representative to Cuba. Mark McAndrews, director of the Port of Pascagoula, said in an interview last week that U.S. exports to Cuba took a nosedive after other countries, including Vietnam, started offering credit in 2014. McAndrews and MDA officials returned to Cuba in April “to see if we couldn’t target some of those commodities, like rice and poultry. The Thomasson guys were down there talking with them about utility poles.” Philadelphia, Miss.-based Thomasson Co. told the
Mississippi Business Journal recently that the company dropped that effort after Trump’s statements in June about a hard line on trade with the country. “It seemed like some progress was being made,” McAndrews said, “There was this proposed lifting of the restrictions. There was more dialogue going on, but I suspect the clamping back down . . . probably poured some cold water on a lot of those.” The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation said in an emailed statement that it supports “normalizing” trade with Cuba. With more than 192,000 member families, it is a voluntary, non-governmental, non-partisan organization.
December 1, 2017
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NORTH MISSISSIPPI
Memphis area awaits outcome of Amazon headquarters ‘sweepstakes’ By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Memphis is part of the stampede of U.S. cities bidding for Amazon’s second headquarters with 50,000 potentially jobs and $5 billion in corporate investment. Some counties across the Mississippi line stand to benefit from the promised gargantuan development. Those counties help the city to meet one requirement of the giant online retailer, that of having a population of at least 1 Trenary million. The Memphis metropolitan statistical area stood at 1.34 million as of 2016. That includes DeSoto, Marshall, Tunica, Tate and Benton counties in Mississippi. The Mississippi Development Authority said in an email asking for comment on the potential impact of the Amazon headquarters that it “does not discuss what may or may not be an economic development project.” Phil Trenary, president and chief executive officer for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, said “whether intentional or not, it is true” that the pro-business organization speaks for the populace that falls under the metropolitan umbrella. “The Greater Memphis Chamber is the best marketing arm for north Mississippi,” Trenary said. And while the chamber has become the official spokesman for the recruitment effort, the Memphis City Council on Oct. 3 approved $60 million in cash incentives. Yet that pales in comparison with New Jersey’s offer of $5 billion. The University of Texas at Dallas wants to give Amazon 100 acres next to its campus. Trenary acknowledged that many rankings issued since Amazon made its announcement in September don’t list Memphis among the leaders, based on the criteria set by the Seattle-base company: population size, stable business climate, ability to attract technical talent and an international airport within a 45-minute drive. Yet he said the chamber has seen two studies that put Memphis in the top five. Business Insider included Memphis and Nashville in the top eight cities in a Sept. 17 article. “If we get them here [to visit], our chances go way up,” Trenary said in a Tuesday phone interview. “To live here and experience Memphis . . . is a much different experience than some
Memphis is North America’s leading distribution center.
xxx/MBJ
might expect,” Trenary said. While the city’s strengths and its current $9 billion in commercial development underway – comprise a long list, there are some shortcomings, he said. Memphis International Airport lost its hubs for Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines. At one time there were 90 nonstop flights at the airport, but now the number is about 30, he said. “It would take a little faith” that those flights would grow, he said. Memphis has the “cool factor” and is attracting millennials from places such as Austin, Nashville and San Francisco, according to Trenary. Cost of living is low compared with many of the competing cities, which is another magnet, he said. AlphaFlow, “a wealth-tech investment platform,”ranked Memphis third, behind leading Atlanta and Cincinnati on Oct. 18 in Chain Storage Age. It considered factors such as cost of living, income, median home value and building permits. But the best asset to attract Amazon is FedEx, the overnight shipping giant based in Memphis, which has more than 30,000 employees there, according to Trenary. While there are some scenarios that see Amazon becoming a FedEx competitor, “any analyst who takes a look at that realizes in a hurry that’s a “long, long, long way off,” Trenary said. It could take Amazon years to establish such a service, John Eade, president of Argus Research, is quoted as saying in a CNBC article. Fred Smith, president of FedEx, said flatly in a March interview with Fortune. com: “Amazon is a retailer. We’re a transportation company.” That was six months before Jeff Bezos announced his plan for a second headquarters. In early November, Chris Allen, a FedEx spokesman, told the Memphis Busi-
ness Journal that he “would understand if Memphis is under consideration.” But he couched Amazon as a customer. “We have many customers that have added distribution centers or other significant facilities in Memphis, as it provides immediate access to the FedEx global network.” FedEx reports that Amazon provides 2.5 percent of its revenue.
While Amazon has built a small fleet by leasing large jets, it would be at odds with anyone shipping via Amazon internationally because shipping manifests would reveal proprietary information to competing retailers, according to Flexport blogger Ryan Petersen. Yet the fleet could make sense domestically, Petersen wrote. Amazon has not been explicit in saying it why needs a second, equal headquarters. But its Seattle operations employ 40,000 and the rapidly growing company, which earlier this year bought Whole Foods, may simply be running out of space. It has not been said when it will make the decision. The online retailer says it would grow its work force in the new headquarters in 15 years, likewise for the projected investment of $5 billion. Some are skeptical of those numbers. But Amazon is not coy about what it wants. Its request for proposals states: “Incentives offered by the state/province [theoretically, Canada and Mexico are potential sites] and local communities to offset initial capital outlay and ongoing operational costs will be significant factors in the decision-making process.” The fact that Tennessee has no income tax weighs in favor of Memphis, Trenary said. Likewise, Austin can make the same case for Texas.
4 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 1, 2017 MBJ BUSINESS SHOWCASE
Can a business be big and yet maintain the “personal touch”? United Healthcare thinks it can do just that
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n a recent conversation with Joseph Ochipinti, CEO for the Gulf States Region of United Healthcare, we talked about of health care in the United States. Joseph was named CEO of the Gulf States Region in 2016, and he oversees United’s operations in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. In total, the company serves over 1.8 million members in those states, and nationally, serves over 49 million members. As a company, United is one of the “Fortune 6,” so by anybody’s standards, it’s not a small enterprise. After growing up in New Jersey, Joseph graduated from LaSalle University, got his master’s at Webster University, and came to the South in 1997. After joining United in 2003, he rose steadily through the management ranks. I asked Joseph how such a large company can hope to maintain a personal touch with its members? “It starts with a firm commitment to our mission, and we do our best to impress the importance of that mission on all our our 250,000 employees nationwide,” he said. “In a nutshell, that mission is our commitment to helping people live healthier lives.” As he sees it, United is driven by its values, and strives to connect members to the best providers and care through collaborative partnerships, wellness programs, and the “personal touch.” The company has informative sites to help their members, including JustPlainClear. com, and other sites that can be accessed through the company’s primary site, UHC.com. “We know that in many cases, people don’t want to in-
teract through the Internet or recordings, so we do our best to meet their needs and have qualified professionals available to help,” he said. “We try to constantly stay in touch with our members and learn about their concerns and needs, through surveys and personal interaction.” Much of the focus of that personal touch means getting people the information they need to make informed Ochipinti decisions about their health care, and Joseph says that is extremely important when it comes to the “open enrollment” periods for Medicare. “We know that health care is a confusing issue,” he suggested. “Many people don’t understand the complex terms that they will be exposed to, and we try hard to help them get a grasp on what their options are, when the time comes to shop for their health care.” I asked him how he sees technology playing a role in
Alan Turner
that process. “Well, when we talk to our members and listen to their concerns, we find that a significant number are open to being served through tele-medicine,” he said. “That’s one important way that people in rural areas who would have a hard time traveling long distances to see a health care provider, can get the professional attention and care they need.” He also strongly supports wellness programs that many larger employers are offering to their employees. “It’s very important to identify issues before they become serious issues,” he said. “And in the workplace, productivity is tied to healthy employees, so it benefits everyone.” He believes an annual wellness exam can in fact improve the overall health of many people, but he sees the process as a “partnership between the individual and their health care providers”. How does he see the current national picture for health care, and what does the future hold? “Well, it’s obviously somewhat confusing at present,” he said. “You’d have to be a prophet to really predict where things will go in Washington in the next few years. But one thing is for sure, we at United will be at the forefront of helping to deliver the best possible care and outcomes to our members who rely on us.” Contact Mississippi Business Journal publisher Alan Turner at alan. turner@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1021.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Trade Mart construction to start in the spring By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Construction of the Mississippi Trade Mart will start in the spring, with expected completion about two years later, Cindy Hyde-Smith, commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce said last week. The 105,000-square-foot building will replace the 67,000-square-foot free-standing structure erected in 1975 that has become outmoded and has a leaky roof. The new mart will be attached to the east end of the Mississippi Coliseum, Hyde-Smith said. “The current trade mart will continue to operate until the new trade mart is open,” she said. By attaching the Trade Mart to the Coliseum, the new structure will be able to use the floor of the coliseum, adding another 25,000 square feet, Hyde-Smith said. Construction will start after the Dixie National Rodeo and Livestock Show, which will run throughout February. The new structure will be more energy-efficient and will have wi-fi and a state of the art kitchen that will serve it and the Coliseum. The 6,500-seat Coliseum, built in 1962, has undergone improvements costing about $4 million in the past few years.
FILE/MBJ
Rendering shows the 67,000-square-foot Trade Mart attached to the Coliseum.
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MBJPERSPECTIVE December 1, 2017 • www.msbusiness.com • Page 5
OTHER VIEWS
#THE OUTSIDE WORLD
Website: www.msbusiness.com December 1, 2017 Volume 39, Number 48
Priorities should remain clear
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» INSIDE MISSISSIPPI
Statewide vote on raising taxes for transportation risky
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upporters of more funds to deal with transportation needs should be leery of a proposed statewide referendum on a package of tax and fee increases to generate that money. If such a proposal is placed on the ballot and defeated by voters, it would be almost impossible to persuade legislators to then pass it. Imagine the likelihood of legislators voting to increase the tax on gasoline or a fee increase on a car title after the voters already had rejected such a proposal. It is not happening – not in Mississippi in this anti-tax climate. There seems to be a near consensus on the fact that the state’s current 18.4cent tax on a gallon of motor fuel is not generating enough money to address the state’s roads and bridges needs, but there is no consensus on where to find the revenue to deal with the issue. Against that backdrop, Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, an influential and respected member of the Mississippi Legislature, has proposed placing a revenue proposal on the ballot and asking the voters to approve it or reject it. Kirby proposal has gained some traction. “I am not offended by this idea,” Gov. Phil Bryant has said. Kirby’s proposal included a relatively
Bobby Harrison
small increase in the gasoline tax and some other fee increases to raise revenue. Obviously the full Legislature would have the opportunity to amend Kirby’s proposal. But it is important that legislators, should they opt to put the issue on the ballot, offer a proposal that would generate enough revenue to make a difference. Officials with the state Department of Transportation have said an extra $400 million per year is needed to deal with the deteriorating highways and bridges across Mississippi. Now, obviously an amount smaller than that would be better than nothing. But it would be unfortunate for voters to go to the polls to pass a proposal that did not make significant strides in solving the problem. Doing so would make state officials look bad and make voters angry. The bottom line is that such a referendum is fraught with landmines. For instance, a recent poll by the Mississippi State University Social Science Research Center shows support for increasing the gasoline tax at 22 percent and support for increasing the vehicle registration fee at 19 percent. See HARRISON, Page 6
ississippi found itself right in the middle of the coaching carousel the last few days as Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi both made changes to the top positions of their respective athletic departments. Students, alumni and fans all had plenty of feedback on the recent moves and decisions made by both universities, as expected when dealing with programs where passion for the game runs deep. In Starkville, Mississippi State leaders found themselves searching for a new leader of their football program following the departure of Dan Mullen, who left after nine seasons to lead the Florida Gators. Mullen is no stranger to the University of Florida, having served as offensive coordinator there under Urban Meyer from 2005 to ‘08. Make no mistake that Mullen leaves a strong program behind him, the result of years of hard work and dedication by him and his staff – something fans eventually pointed out on social media channels after some initial shock on news of his departure. Mullen led Mississippi State to a 69-46 record during his tenure in Starkville, guiding the Bulldogs to eight straight bowl games. State broke 112 school records and held its first No. 1 ranking for five weeks during the 2014 season in which Mullen was named national and SEC Coach of the Year, as reported by the Daily Journal’s Logan Lowery. MSU officials found their man late Tuesday night with Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead taking over the program as head coach. In Oxford, Ole Miss made it official late Sunday night that interim coach Matt Luke would take over as the Rebels’ permanent head coach. Luke was named interim coach on July 20 when former coach Hugh Freeze was fired after his phone calls to an escort service came to light. Luke, 41, is a Gulfport native who played at Ole Miss for Tommy Tuberville from 1995 to 1998. He served as an Ole Miss assistant under both David Cutcliffe and Ed Orgeron before joining Freeze’s original staff as offensive line coach in 2012. Luke guided the Rebels to a 6-6 record with half his wins coming in the final four weeks and capped by a 31-28 road upset of then-No. 16 Mississippi State. The changes at both Mississippi universities are among many others happening around the same time across the country, leaving many speculating on who would end up where and the thought processes some of those potential moves. During significant adjustments like these, fans and supporters should remain collective throughout the process, remembering that changes at this level are inevitable. Coaches win, lose and help build programs before moving on to the next opportunity. That’s truer now more than ever as the expectations for success have skyrocketed at just about every program, let alone in the Southeastern Conference. What shouldn’t be forgotten during these processes – by fans and university officials alike – is that finding the right person to bring athletic success to a program and who also prioritizes helping mold these young men can be difficult. Sometimes the latter isn’t given as much priority as the former, but it absolutely should. These coaches, who end up representing the entire state in many ways, are ultimately hired to win. But more important, they should be hired to develop players into leaders. Finding the right person to do that takes time and should be handled diligently by university officials. — Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
PERSPECTIVE
6 I Mississippi Business Journal I December 1 2017
HARRISON
» RICKY NOBILE
Continued from Page 5
Now, granted that is just one poll. And the poll did not link those tax increases with spending the generated revenue for transportation needs. Other polls have cited the need to improve the state’s transportation system as one of the top – if not top issue – for a plurality of Mississippi voters. Perhaps groups that are advocating for more transportation spending, such as the Mississippi Economic Council, could run a successful campaign to get voters to agree to a package of tax and fee increases. But the MEC and other like-minded groups, no doubt, would have to think long and hard before endorsing such a referendum. They will have to decide whether to endorse a referendum knowing if they lose it will be difficult in the foreseeable future to convince legislators to vote to raise the needed revenue or forgo the referendum and hope legislators will finally have the will to address the issue. Some say if legislators do put the issue on the ballot that they will be eschewing their responsibility to look at all the facts and make the tough votes themselves. Bobby Harrison can be reached at bobby.harrison@journalinc.com
»ANALYSIS
Chairmen tamp down talk of big jump in tobacco tax
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t’s been nearly a decade since a former tobacco lobbyist signed a law that increased the Mississippi’s state cigarette tax from 18 cents to 68 cents a pack. Now, about 20 health advocacy groups are starting to push for a tax increase of $1.50 a pack, plus “parallel” increases on chewing tobacco, during the 2018 legislative session. They say the plan could generate about $200 million a year for the state budget and make smoking and dipping more expensive to deter young people from starting a tobacco habit that could cause addiction and long-term health problems. However, the chairmen of the tax-writing committees are tamping down expectations. In separate interviews with The Associated Press last week, House Ways and Means Chairman Jeff Smith and Senate Finance Chairman Joey Fillingane said the advocates are unlikely to get the full $1.50 a pack increase — and there’s no guarantee they will get anything at all. Smith, a Republican from Columbus, said four of the people pushing the tobacco tax have met with him privately. “Gosh, I don’t want to discourage them because they were so excited and positive,” Smith said. “I told the group that I didn’t anticipate $1.50 a pack ever passing.” Smith said he would be willing to sponsor a bill with a $1 a pack tax increase “with the understanding that I wouldn’t be pushing $1.” That roughly translates to the chairman saying he will put a car on the road but won’t take it out of neutral. The car might go somewhere, but only if a bunch of people get behind it and push really hard.
Fillingane, a Republican from Sumrall, said a $1.50 a pack increase seems “extraordinarily high.” “I’m not saying there’s no amount that might be reasonable,” Fillingane said, adding that perhaps Mississippi could consider “parity” with its four neighboring states. Tennessee’s tax is 62 cents a pack and Alabama’s is 67.5 cents. Louisiana’s is $1.08 a pack, and Arkansas’ is $1.15. The average state cigarette tax is $1.72 a pack, according to Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a Washington-based supports making cigarettes more expensive. Mississippi’s 68 cents a pack is the 39th-highest cigarette tax among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Connecticut has the highest state tax, at $4.35 a pack, and tobacco-growing Virginia has the lowest, at 30 cents a pack. Republican Haley Barbour was elected Mississippi governor in 2003 after lobbying for several high-profile clients in Washington, including tobacco companies. During his first several years as governor, he resisted proposals to increase the tobacco tax. In 2009, he dropped his opposition and signed the 50-cents-per-pack increase after a commission that he appointed recommended the change. The 2009 law did not increase taxes on smokeless tobacco. Smith said getting a tax increase on chewing tobacco
Emily Pettus
would be as difficult now as it was then, because that could dig right into the wallets of some legislators. On the House floor, Smith sits in a row with three other representatives, and he said two of the three use chewing tobacco.
Mississippi’s 68 cents a pack is the 39th-highest cigarette tax among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Connecticut has the highest state tax, at $4.35 a pack ... Among the groups lobbying for the tobacco tax increase are the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the Mississippi State Medical Association and groups representing nurses, physician assistants, family physicians, emergency physicians, psychiatrists and anesthesiologists. Dr. Bill Grantham, the medical association president, said research shows that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes results in about a 7 percent decrease in smoking by young people. “A tobacco tax increase would truly save lives in Mississippi,” Grantham said. Emily Wagster Pettus covers Capitol matters for the Mississippi Associated Press in Jackson.
October 2017
December 1, 2017
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DeSoto 3.4
7 Tunica 4.7
MISSISSIPPI’S OCTOBER UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES
UNITED STATES Labor Force Data Civilian Labor Force Unemployed Unemployment Rate Employed STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Unemployment Insurance Data •• Initial UI Claims Continued Claims Benefits Paid Weeks Paid First Payments Final Payments Average Weekly Benefit
Tate 4.6
Sept ‘17 1,276,800 59,800 4.7 1,217,000
Oct ‘16 1,287,100 73,100 5.7 1,214,000
‘16 Avg. 1,280,500 74,700 5.8 1,205,800
Coahoma 6.0
Sunflower 6.8
Leflore 6.3
Sept ‘17 161,049,000 6,556,000 4.1 154,494,000
Oct 2017 5,301 42,637 $6,329,005 31,258 2,069 725 $202.48
Oct ‘16 159,783,000 7,447,000 4.7 152,335,000
Sept 2017 4,660 40,320 $5,677,110 28,072 1,672 579 $202.23
‘16 Avg. 159,187,000 7,751,000 4.9 151,436,000
Yalobusha 4.8
Oct 2016 6,315 50,903 $6,699,451 33,132 2,129 717 $202.20
Calhoun 3.6
Tishomingo 4.2
Carroll 5.7
Montgomery 4.7
Holmes 7.8
Yazoo 5.2
Issaquena 8.6
Monroe 4.6
Clay 6.1 Lowndes 4.8
Oktibbeha 4.0
Choctaw 4.3
Winston 5.3
Attala 5.9
Sharkey 6.2
Itawamba 3.7
Chickasaw 4.9
Webster 4.7
Washington 6.3
Moving Avg.** 160,159,000 7,122,000 4.4 153,038,000
Lee 3.7
Pontotoc 3.5
Grenada 4.0
Humphreys 7.8
Oct ‘17 160,465,000 6,242,000 3.9 154,223,000
Lafayette 3.5
Quitman 6.8
Bolivar 5.2
Moving Avg.** 1,287,900 66,600 5.2 1,221,300
Alcorn 4.0
Tippah 3.8
Union 3.3
Tallahatchie 4.0
Oct ‘17 1,269,100 56,200 4.4 1,212,900
Benton 5.1
Prentiss 4.1
Panola 6.1
Labor force and employment security data STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Labor Force Data Civilian Labor Force Unemployed Unemployment Rate Employed
Marshall 4.4
Leake 4.9
Neshoba 4.6
Scott 3.5
Newton 4.7
Noxubee 6.4
Kemper 7.0
Madison 3.4 Warren 5.0 Rankin 3.3
Hinds 4.3
Claiborne 7.8
Copiah 5.1
Jefferson 10.3 Adams 5.9
Wilkinson 7.2
Franklin 5.6
Lincoln 4.3
Amite 5.7
Pike 5.3
Covington Jones 4.3 4.6
Walthall 5.3
Marion 4.5
— Mississippi Department of Employment Security5.0 - 6.8 6.9 - 10.3
5.0 - 6.8 6.9 - 10.3
Lamar 3.3
Pearl River 4.5
Hancock 4.8
Clarke 5.6
Wayne 5.1
Lawrence Jeff Davis 5.0 5.8
Unemployment Rates
** Average for most recent twelve months, including current month Rates •• Unemployment Insurance amounts presented in this section only represent regular UI benefits, federal program amounts areUnemployment not included. 3.3 - 3.6 3.3 - 3.6 Labor force amounts are produced in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 3.7 - 4.9 3.7 - 4.9 Note: Unless indicated state and county data presented are not seasonally adjusted.
Jasper 5.5
Smith 4.2
Simpson 4.2
Lauderdale 5.0
Forrest 4.1
Perry 4.9
Stone 5.0
Harrison 4.2
Greene 5.7
George 5.9
Jackson 5.1
Source: Labor Market Data Publication Design: Labor Market Information Department, MDES
8 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 1, 2017 WE LAW
Divorce, alimony and the GOP tax plan T he U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, its version of tax reform, on Nov. 16. The bill, if signed, would eliminate the deduction for alimony obligations entered into after Dec. 31, 2017. The Senate’s tax reform plan, which appears to be on its way to debate and a vote on the Senate floor, currently retains the alimony deduction. The House and Senate will have to work out these differences to enact tax reform.
Current Alimony Tax Law and Proposed Changes Under current Federal tax law, alimony can be structured so that it is deductible by the payer spouse and taxable to the recipient spouse. This can achieve significant overall tax savings because the payer spouse is typically in a significantly higher marginal income tax bracket than the recipient spouse. The deduction allows a divorced couple to “shift” taxable income to a lower tax bracket. For example, if an ex-husband is in a 40 percent marginal tax bracket and pays
his ex-wife $6,000 per month in alimony, the obligation actually costs him only $3,600 per month because of the deduction for alimony paid. On the other hand, the ex-wife (who we will assume pays a 15 percent effective tax rate) will pay taxes on the alimony and receive a net after-tax benefit of $5,100. Because of the alimony deduction (and associated rate-shifting opportunity), the ex-husband pays $3,600 out-of-pocket and the ex-wife receives $5,100 net of taxes. The $1,500 difference between the “cost” to the payer and the benefit to the recipient is effectively a government subsidy. Using this example, the loss of the alimony deduc-
tion and the subsidy which arises from it would result in either the payer paying more, the recipient receiving less, or, perhaps most likely, some combination of the two. Clarke Luke Additionally, the alimony deduction is an “above-the-line deduction” – meaning that the payer spouse does not have to itemize his or her deductions to take advantage of the tax benefit. Above-theline deductions are Susan Steffey particularly valuable for those in the middle class, who might not be able to take itemized deductions because of their reliance on the standard deduction. If the proposed House change becomes law, affected Mississippians will also lose
the deduction for their state income tax, too. Mississippi state tax law follows the federal law. Importantly, the proposed law would preserve the deduction for those with alimony obligations in place on or before Dec. 31, 2017, assuming such obligations otherwise qualify as deductible alimony. An in-depth discussion of the current requirements for deductible alimony is beyond the scope of this article, but very generally, alimony payments must meet the following criteria to be deductible: (i) the payment must be in cash; (ii) the payment must be pursuant to a divorce or separation instrument; (iii) the instru-
ment must not elect for the alimony to not be deductible; (iv) legally separated spouses cannot live together; and (v) the payer’s obligation must end no later than the death of the payee spouse. Summary of Possible Changes & Ramifications. Alimony is awarded in two distinct ways. The parties can agree to an amount of alimony (and to the other financial terms of the divorce), or, if no agreement can be reached, the court will decide the financial terms of the divorce, including whether alimony will be awarded. The proposed elimination of the alimony deduction, if it becomes law, will have a profound effect on future divorce settlements and judgments. Deductible alimony has been a long-standing tool when the parties’ incomes are disparate. If the tax advantage of paying alimony is eliminated, the payer spouse may be less likely to voluntarily agree to pay alimony. Even if a spouse agrees to pay alimony, the payer will have less after-tax dollars to do so. Parties also often negotiate alimony in lieu of increased property settlements (which are generally tax-free). For example, divorcing spouses may agree that high-earning spouse will pay more alimony in exchange for a reduced share of the marital estate. The loss of the tax benefits of this arrangement may make these types of settlements less likely. If the parties cannot agree on a financial settlement, a court would also consider the tax effect of alimony when deciding whether to award alimony, and in what form and amount. If the deduction is eliminated, it is likely that awards will be reduced because of the loss of the tax benefits of income shifting.
Conclusion. This change isn’t final yet. Although the House bill would repeal the alimony deduction, the Senate tax reform proposal would retain it. However, for those currently in the process of obtaining a divorce, now may be the time to conclude a divorce agreement in the event this valuable tax benefit is eliminated. Clark C. Luke is a tax attorney at Watkins & Eager PLLC. Susan L. Steffey is a member of Watkins & Eager’s Domestic Relations & Family Law practice group. WE Law is a continuing legal series written exclusively for the Mississippi Business Journal by lawyers of Watkins & Eager PLLC. Additional information is available at www.watkinseager.com.
HOMEOWNERS WIN INTERIM RULINGS IN COSTCO CASE By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Nine homeowners opposing the building of a Costco Wholesale store on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland have won two interim rulings since they filed an appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court. Most recently, Justice Leslie D. King ruled Oct. 23 against a motion by the city to strike information that allegedly had not been considered by Madison County Circuit Court Judge John Emfinger, who ruled in favor of the city. On July 25, Justice Robert P. Chamberlain denied a motion by the city to expedite the hearing of the homeowners’ appeal. “I hope we continue to win. I think that’s a good sign,” said Sheldon Alston, a Jackon attorney representing the homeowners. Alston said that oral arguments have not been set, and won’t necessarily be scheduled by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court usually rules on a case within nine months after all briefs have been filed, Alston said. “That clock has started,” he said. The homeowners are challenging the city’s amendment of its zoning ordinance as a favor to the developers of what would be the third phase of Renaissance at Colony Park, an open-air shopping mall opened in 2007. The plaintiffs contend that Alan Hart, director of development for the city, stated in a public hearing in April 2016 that the ordinance, which was passed that day after the hearing, would allow for the inclusion of “gas stations, fast-food restaurants” in 17 properties already zoned C-2. Costco Wholesale stores sell gasoline at pumps, as do Sam’s Clubs, another wholesaler. Inclusion of those things are not in keeping with the immediate area, the homeowners argue, adding that 12 of the 17 sites are zoned otherwise, and that was not what Hart said at the hearing. To argue otherwise would be to allow the plaintiffs “an improper attempt to raise a new argument,” the defendents said in a brief, and should be stricken from the record. But Justice King on Oct. 23 said the argument could be entered in the appeal. Opponents of the 45-acre retail development contend that it would unduly increase traffic in the area and devalue residential values of their upscale homes.
New Businesses
December 1, 2017
Q
Mississippi Business Journal
Q
9
HOME2SUITES: The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber recently held a ribbon cutting for the Oxford extended stay-stay hotel Home2Suites, owner Luke Chamblee and General Manager Adam Salters.
Joey Brent / Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of Chamber of Flowood
CSTORE DELI/HUMIDOR CIGAR & DISCOUNT TOBACCO: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for CStore Deli/Humidor Cigar & Discount Tobacco, 4219 Lakeland Drive in Flowood.
Courtesy of Greater Starkville Development Partnership
R.TABB & CO.: The Greater Starkville Development Partnership recently held a ribbon cutting at the new location of R. Tabb & Co., 201 E. Main St. in Starkville.
HOMEWOOD SUITES: The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership recently held a groundbreaking for Homewood Suites in Fondren.
Courtesy of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership
AN MBJ FOCUS: BANKING & FINANCE
The C
Dr. Dale Flesher, associate dean, University of Mississippi Patterson School of Accountancy. Courtesy of Dale L. Flesher
December 1, 2017 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com
CFO life
Hope begins credit union at Provine By JULIA MILLER mbj@msbusiness.com
H
ope Federal Credit Union is working toward making the future brighter by providing Provine High School students with the knowledge of financial tools and services that can help them gain success. By opening the first student-run credit union branch in Jackson, it is giving business academy students the opportunity to hone what they have learned in the classroom by teaching their fellow Provine students. “We are teaching the students to understand the financial system,” said Pearl Wicks, senior vice president of retail operations. “How to open a savings account, apply for a mortgage, manage debt, to save no matter what the income level is.” The branch, now opened two days a week during the school’s lunch hour, had its ribbon cutting in October, but Hope has been working with Provine through the business academy for the last three years. The program was created with the ultimate goal of opening this student branch and is patterned after a similar program in Nashville. “(Senior students) who started in the ninth grade are now operating the branch,” Wicks said. “They are able to share what they learned with students and teachers.” The Provine students handle all of the public interactions with their classmates while under the watchful eye of Hope representatives. One strategy has been to reinforce the importance of savings and understanding how a savings goal can help you afford big-ticket items. One example they use is to illustrate how timing can impact the ability to afford a prom dress. Wicks said if a girl starts saving at 5, she has to put in very little per month. In ninth grade, you have to put in more per month, and at the beginning of junior or senior year, the increase per month is even higher. However, no matter the timeline, the goals are possible if you plan ahead and are dedicated to developing your savings. Having a knowledge of banking tools and services has a bigger impact than just financial health. “By having an account with their name on it, no matter the dollar amount, the student is more likely to attend college,” she said. Wicks said all teenagers can benefit from the lessons being taught, regardless of their own socio-economic background. “If students are taught at a young age, they are able to make better decisions in the future,” she said.
See PROVINE, Page 12
Banking & Finance
12 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 1, 2017
Courtesy of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership
The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership held a ribbon cutting recently for the opening of the first student-run Hope Federal Credit Union branch at Provine High School in Jackson.
PROVINE Continued from Page 11
The credit union is also extended to the parents and community in an effort to inform everyone the importance of being a part of the banking system. This also helps
educate those who may find themselves susceptible to predatory lending, such as payday advance businesses. “We’re excited to be in this partnerships with Jackson Public School and Provine High School,” she said. “We think this is a great asset for the school and surrounding
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community.” Credit unions provide a unique opportunity to give back to the community. Unlike a traditional community bank, credit unions do not have an obligation to shareholders. Instead credit unions are owned by the members, anyone who has
an account with them. Instead, the credit union is obligated to help its members and community. “We take money that is put on deposit to give back to the community,” she said. “As a result, we charge lower fees and lower rates.”
CFO
every founder and the crowning achievement of every CFO. Now, the IPO is an endangered species. We still see a few, but for companies worth less than a billion dollars, the private equity firms have gobbled up many of the companies that used to go public. Companies just don’t want to deal with the enormous costs and the effort it takes to be a public company.” Jay McCarthy said his role as CFO of the Mississippi Development Authority is different than it is with private sector companies. These responsibilities include negotiating deals with companies looking to invest or expand in the state; providing technical information and assistance to agency staff, economic developers, and businesses; determining agency policy regarding economic development incentives; and working as a legislative liaison when needed. “The CFO at MDA is a critical position,” McCarthy said. “My role is to set the tone, spending priorities, budget and financial processes to ensure the agency runs efficiently and effectively. “However, a good CFO is only as good as the staff he/she directs. The staff of the Accounting and Finance, Community Services, and Financial Services Divisions, who are my responsibility, are led by bright, experienced, and professional directors. The staff members of those divisions are hard-working and dedicated. Without these team members, the agency would struggle to be successful.”
Continued from Page 11
(100 to 1,000 employees) wears a lot of hats, said Morgan, who has served as a CFO four times during his career, most recently at Bomgar Corp. in Ridgeland from 2006-2014. “The company may not be big enough for a chief operating officer, so a lot of operational duties might fall on the CFO,” he said. “A new CFO might end up being responsible for departments such as legal, information technology, facilities Morgan management and human resources. I’m not saying that’s the right place for these functions, but many times they end up there by default. That’s quite a lot to be responsible for when you have been doing accounting all of your career. That’s when it is critical to put highly competent people in place. The CFO can’t possibly be an expert in everything.” Morgan has seen the world of finance change tremendously during his career. In addition to technology improvements, there has been a major shift in financial markets as a result of things like Sarbanes-Oxley. “Start-ups used to aim for an IPO,” Morgan said. “That was the dream of
Helping your business grow. We’ve got big ideas on small business solutions.
An SBA Specialist can help you determine the best loan for your situation. Christopher A. Wallace is a Vice President and SBA Lending Specialist for Regions. He serves as a liaison to the bank’s relationship managers throughout the state, helping facilitate Small Business Administration loans and other customer needs. A banking industry veteran with more than 15 years of experience, Christopher has held a number of positions within the bank’s commercial real estate and retail banking departments since 2002. He is a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi and earned his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and his master’s degree from Northcentral University.
So contact Christopher today to learn how he can help move your business forward. Christopher A. Wallace Commercial Banking Vice President | SBA Product Specialist 1020 Highland Colony W. Pkwy. Suite 200 | Ridgeland, MS 39157 601.790.8161 | chris.wallace@regions.com
© 2017 Regions Bank. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.
Banking & Finance
14 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 1, 2017
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION APPROVED LENDERS Loans since
Dollars loaned
Oct. 1 2016
since Oct 1, 2016
601-706-0331 601-208-7391
56 47
$10,040,200 4,852,100
Collins, MS 39428
601-765-6551
41
2,639,300
1068 Highland Colony Pkwy.
Ridgeland, MS 39157
601-898-8300
39
20,343,600
510 Hwy. 35 S.
Carthage, MS 39051
601-267-0095
38
12,973,800
BancorpSouth Bank
One Mississippi Plaza
Tupelo, MS 38802
662-680-2345
21
3,993,200
Peoples Bank
611 5th Ave.
Magee, MS 39111
601-849-2210
19
7,411,300
Citizens Bank of Philadelphia
521 Main Street
Philadelphia, MS 39350
601-656-4692
14
2,958,300
Live Oak Bank Wells Fargo
1741 Tiburon Dr. 101 N. Philips Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28403 Sioux Falls, SD
910-777-5738 605-575-6900
12 9
22,301,000 902,000
Celtic Bank Corp.
12121 Panama City Beach Pkwy.
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
866-644-0042
8
4,485,500
The First Charter Bank Hancock Bank Regions Bank State Bank & Trust BankUnited, NA Renasant Bank Simmons First National Bank Citizens Nat’l Bk of Meridian PriorityOne Bank Newtek Small Business Finance The Mint National Bank BizCapital BIDCO I, LLC Iberiabank Riverhills Bank Utah Community Bank Independence Bank United Midwest Savings Meadows Bank Umpqua Bank Northeast Bank First Western SBLC, Inc.
1945 U.S. Hwy. 15 N.
Laurel, MS 39440
601-425-4000
8
1721 Medical Park Dr., Ste. 103 2510 14th St. 250 Riverchase Pkwy. 916 Highway 82 Bypass 14817 Oak Lane 411 Hwy. 80 E. 501 Main St. 512 22nd Ave. 220 Main Ave. N. 1981 Marcus Ave, Suite 130 1213 Kingwood Dr. 909 Poydras St., Ste. 2230 200 West Congress Street 100 Fountains Blvd 820 East 9400 South 1370 S County Trail 101 S Main St 8912 Spanish Ridge Ave, Suite 100 445 SE Main St. 500 Canal Street 17950 Preston Rd # 600
Biloxi, MS 39532 Gulfport, MS 39502 Birmingham, AL 35244 Greenwood, MS 38930 Miami Lakes, FL 33016 Clinton, MS 39056 Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Meridian, MS 39301 Magee, MS 39111 Lake Success, N.Y. 11042 Kingwood, TX 77339 New Orleans, LA 70112 Lafayette, LA, 70501 Port Gibson, MS 39150 Sandy, UT 84094 East Greenwich, RI 02818 De Graff, OH 43318 Las Vegas, NV. 89148 Roseburg, OR 97470 Lewiston, ME 04240 Dallas, TX 75252
228-392-2330 228-868-4000 205-560-5081 662-453-6811 877- 893-7823 601-924-8389 870-541-1000 601-693-1331 601-849-3311 212-356-9500 281-359-6468 504-832-1993 800-682-3231 601-437-4271 801-545-6000 401-886-4600 937-585-5861 702-471-2265 541-440-3961 800-284-5989 972-349-3200
8 7 6 5 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1
3,638,000 948,700 877,500 8,577,600 295,900 4,865,000 800,000 4,177,900 2,040,300 528,000 5,000,000 4,480,000 2,920,000 2,596,200 1,917,000 314,600 125,000 125,000 2,889,600 2,713,000 1,745,000 1,704,000
Citizens Bank First Commercial Bank NOA Bank First Bank of the Lake Ameristate Bank Planters Bank & Trust Co. Freedom Small Business Lending Network American Business Lending, Inc. Spirit of Texas Bank, SSB Radius Bank Fidelity Bank Pike National Bank First State Bank Stearns Bank, N.A. First Home Bank
300 Broad St. 1300 Meadowbrook Road 2385 Pleasant Hill Rd 4558 Osage Beach Pkwy, No. 100 131 S. Pennsylvania Street 212 Catchings Street 220 Continential Dr., Ste. 250 1420 W Mockingbird Lane 625 University Dr E. 1 Harbor St, 321 St. Charles Ave 350 Rawls Drive 708 Azalea Drive 4140 Thielman Lane, Suite 105 9190 Seminole Blvd
Elizabethton, TN 37643 Jackson MS 39211 Duluth, GA 30096 Osage Beach, MO 65065 Atoka, OK 74525 Indianola, MS 38751 Newark, DE 19713 Dallas, TX 75247 College Station, TX 77840 Boston, MA 02210 New Orleans, LA 70130 McComb, MS 39648 Waynesboro, MS 39367 St. Cloud, MN 36301 Seminole, FL 33772
423-543-2265 601-709-7777 678-385-0800 573-348-2265 580-889-3375 662-887-3363 856-380-9070 214-580-8660 979-846-8000 800-242-0272 504-569-3418 601-684-7575 601-735-3124 800-320-7262 727-394-2265
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1,589,700 1,413,000 1,237,000 1,170,500 1,000,000 980,100 720,000 718,900 295,500 220,200 217,000 140,000 130,000 120,000 50,000
Jackson, MS 39216
601-981-1625
2
2,154,000
501-374-9247
1
3,552,000
393
$161,886,500
Lending institution
Address
City/State
Phone
Community Bank Trustmark National Bank
1255 W. Government St. 201 Country Place Dr., Ste. A
Brandon, MS 39042 Pearl, MS 39208
Covington County Bank
102 S Dogwood Ave.
BankPlus First Financial Bank
Certified Development Companies /Third Party Lenders Central MS Development Co., Inc. 1170 Lakeland Drive BancorpSouth, First Commercial Bank Three Rivers Local Development Co., Inc. The Bancorp Bank TOTAL (FY 2017)
Wilmington, DE
List is Small Business Administration-approved banks that loaned money to Mississippi borrowers during fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2016. Totals are through close of business Sept. 30, 2017. List is ranked by number of loans. Direct questions and comments to Frank Brown at research@msbusiness.com or 601-364-1022
Newsmakers
December 1, 2017
Firms build playground
Timothy A. Torres, MD, recently joined Hattiesburg Clinic Anesthesiology. Torres received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed an internship in internal medicine and his residency in anesthesiology at Torres University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham. He has a special practice interest in regional anesthesia. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Catholic Medical Association. He joins the other providers at Anesthesiology.
Gordon joins MSMA
Jill Gordon has joined the Mississippi State Medical Association as Director of Marketing. After 18 years in banking and finance, Gordon is turning her talents to expanding membership and increasing participation at MSMA. The Mississippi State Medical Gordon Association is the largest physician advocacy organization in Mississippi, representing nearly 5,000 physicians, residents and medical students.
15
Beard + Riser Architects of Greenwood and Oxford recently won three design awards from the American Institute of Architects Mississippi Chapter. Rail Spike Park Pavilion received the highest commendation, an AIA Honor Award, as well as the Sambo Mockbee Membership Award. The pavilion was one component of a two mile rails-to-trails conversion utilizing an MDOT grant. The City of Greenwood Police Department and Municipal Court Renovation received an AIA Merit Award. The 13,000 square foot building was completely renovated for modernization and included a 2,000 square foot addition and the recapturing of underutilized space that more than doubled the building’s usable footprint.
Owen named to board
Clinic hires anesthesiologist
Q
Beard+Riser recognized
Hicks
Jenny Owen, Executive Director of the Mississippi State Board of Architecture for 14 years, has been appointed as the Member Board Executive (MBE) Director on the Board of Directors for the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). Owen will also serve as Chair of CLARB’s MBE Committee, which is charged annually to complete a scope of work aligned with the organization’s goals, strategy and approved work plan. Owen will serve in both of these capacities until September 30. Previously for CLARB, Owen served as a member on the MBE Committee (2015-2017), Member Board Executives Observer to the Board of Directors (2009-2010), Chair of the Member Board Executives Committee (2008-2010) and member, Communications Committee (2007-2008). She also is Executive Director, Region 3 for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). She has served in many previous roles for this organization, including member, Leadership Committee (2012-2015); member of the Committee on Education (2010); and Chair of the Member Board Executives Committee (2007). Owen received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Belhaven University.
Mississippi Business Journal
All QUEST hospitals submitting data for October 2015-September 2016 were eligible.
TEC appoints Hicks Mississippi-based TEC has appointed J. Daniel Hicks as Technician at TEC in Crockett, Tenn. Hicks will be responsible for the installation and repair of company products and services. Hicks lives in Maury City, Tenn., with his wife, Taylor, and children, Mahaley and Oakley.
Q
3 named law fellows Courtesy of Yokohama Tires
Yokohama Tire and KaBOOM!, along with approximately 200 volunteers recently built a eco-friendly playground at Marshall Park in West Point. It will benefit about 700 children. Highlights of the playground build included the installation of new, brightly colored, environmentally safe “Cradle-to-Cradle”-certified playground equipment. Yokohama and KaBOOM! met with local parents and their children in August to help design the playground and pick out color schemes and equipment.
4 from MSU named fellows Four Mississippi State administrators are new Fellows of the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program. Now in its 10th year, ALDP was created to help prepare and advance academic administrators within the SEC’s 14 member universities — and beyond. In addition to individual campus development programs, the initiative involves two conference-wide workshops and a competitive fellowship program. MSU’s 2017-18 Fellows include: » Kari Babski-Reeves, associate dean of research and graduate studies and professor of industrial and systems engineering in MSU’s Bagley College of Engineering. She is a three-degree graduate of MSU who joined the industrial and systems engineering faculty in 2008. Her research is focused Babski-Reeves in the areas of human factors, ergonomics and safety. » L. Wes Burger Jr., associate director of both the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and Forest and Wildlife Research Center and Dale H. Arner Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management. He is a University of Missouri-Columbia Burger doctoral graduate, is a Grisham Master Teacher who also is a research fellow at the campus’ Geosystems Research Institute. » Will Evans Jr., professor and head of the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Evans, who joined the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Evans
in 2015, also holds joint appointments with MAFES and the MSU Extension Service. He is a University of Alabama doctoral graduate. » Leslie Hossfeld, professor and head of the Department of Sociology in MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences. She is a North Carolina State University doctoral graduate, founder and director of the Mississippi Food Insecurity Project, and an associate director with the MSU-University of Mis- Hossfeld sissippi Medical Center’s Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities. She moved to Starkville in 2015.
Sanderson taps Coleman John Coleman has been promoted to Corporate Retail Sales Manager at Sanderson Farms, Inc., headquartered in Laurel. Coleman will be responsible for introducing the company to prospective customers and executing the company’s marketing plan. Coleman is a 2011 graduate of Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. He began his career with Sanderson Farms as a Sales Trainee in 2014. He has served as a National Sales Representative at Sanderson Farms.
Iuka hospital recognized North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka has been recognized with the 2017 QUEST Award for High-value Healthcare from Premier Inc., a leading healthcare improvement company, for providing outstanding patient care. Only six hospitals received the award for achieving top performance in all six of the areas measured in Premier’s nationally-acclaimed QUEST collaborative, including cost and efficiency, evidence-based care, mortality, safety, patient and family engagement and appropriate hospital use.
Three Baker Donelson professionals have been inducted as Fellows of the College of Law Practice Management: David A. Rueff Jr., Adam C. Severson, and Meredith L. Williams. The College of Law Practice Management was formed in 1994 to honor and recognize distinguished law practice management professionals, to set standards of achievement for others in the profession, and to fund and assist projects that enhance the highest quality of law practice management. Rueff is Baker Donelson’s legal project management officer and a shareholder in the firm’s Jackson office. As a certified project manager through the Project Management Institute, he leads a team of attorneys and project managers to implement project management for clients, in-house corporate legal departments, and disaster recovery Rueff programs. He was responsible for the development of BakerManage, the firm’s patent pending legal project management model; BakerLean, the firm’s Lean model; and Budget Designer, the firm’s proprietary budgeting tool. Rueff is a frequent author on the subject of legal project management, including co-authoring the American Bar Association’s guide to legal project management, The Power of Legal Project Management, A Practical Handbook. Severson is chief marketing and business development officer and a member in the Nashville office. In 2015, Severson was president of the International Legal Marketing Association. Severson was named “CMO of the Year” by the Nashville Business Journalin 2013 and was a named a “Top 200 Private Company Marketing Executive” by ExecRank Severson in 2012. Williams, chief knowledge management officer, oversees BakerNet, and coordinates strategic growth in knowledge management, competitive intelligence, and technology. Based in the firm’s Memphis office, Williams is the immediate past president of the Williams International Legal Technology Association, and was named to the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Resource Center’s Top 10 Women of Legal Tech in 2016.
Newsmakers
16 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 1, 2017
Dubois rejoins Community
Shane’ E. Dubois has recently re-joined Community Bank as a Business Development Officer in the Flowood office. Dubois will help identify and assist customers with their banking needs, as well as represent Community Bank in the community. Dubois The Jackson native is on the Flowood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Rankin County School District Foundation Board, and is a member of the Pisgah Elementary PTO. Dubois was recognized for her outstanding accomplishments by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2014 by being selected as one of the Top 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi. She was also recognized for her service to the Rankin County School District by being named 2016 – 2017 Parent of the Year. Dubois is married to Dan Dubois of Flowood. They have two children, Danielle, 14, and Landon, 10. They are active members of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton.
2 promoted at Grand Hotel The Natchez Grand Hotel recently made two promotions. Naomi Jones was promoted to Assistant General Manager, where she will be responsible for supporting the Hotel Manager with daily hotel operations and services. She also oversees all facets of hotel operations in the absence of the Hotel Manager. Jones Jones joined The Natchez Grand Hotel in March 2008 as a reservationist and was promoted to Front Office Manager within a year. She later was promoted to the Director of Rooms Division. Jones is a 1993 graduate of Natchez High School. She is enrolled in online courses at Walden University pursuing a degree in Business Management. Anise Winding-Sims was promoted to Front Office Manager, where she will directly supervise all front office personnel and ensure proper completion of all front office duties. Winding-Smith will direct and coordinate the activities of the front desk, guest Winding-Sims services, reservations, and telephone services. She will assist all department heads in all areas to ensure smooth, efficient operations. Winding-Sims is a 2005 graduate of Natchez High School, and is attending Alcorn State University majoring in Business Administration.
Madison County Young Professionals panel
Photo by Deryll Stegall / Courtesy of MCBL&F
The Madison County Business League & Foundation recently named 2017-18 Madison County Young Professional (MCYP) Steering Committee officers and members. The mission of the MCYP is to develop future MCBL&F members and leaders by providing opportunities to build professional development and relationship skills, engage with business, political and civil leaders and serve the community. Members are, front row, from left, Haley Claxton, Secretary-Treasurer, Trustmark; Sarah Beth Wilson, Chairman, Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush; Grant Montgomery, Vice Chairman, BancorpSouth; Chris Roberts, Past Chairman, BankPlus. Middle row, Bradley Barnes, Adcamp; Anne Marie Smith, Amerigo, Sombra, Anjou, Char & Saltine; Beau Lynch, Merit Health Madison; Krystal Minor, Bfac. com; Lisa Robin, Hancock Law Firm; Henry Sockbeson IV, Yates; Jamaal Holloway, Nissan; Chris Johnson, Renasant. Top row, Andrew Ritter, Southern Ag Credit; Jacob Berard, CenterPoint Energy; Jonathan Werne, St. Dominic. Not pictured: Scott Parenteau, C Spire; Parker Berry, Butler Snow; Jess New, Brunini; Cori Hill, Levi Strauss; and Austin Stewart, Adams & Reese. Wrigley is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, summa cum laude, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Spanish from the University of Mississippi. She is admitted in both Mississippi and Florida. Super Lawyers is a service of Thomson Reuters, Legal Division. The selection process includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent evaluation of candidates, a peer review of candidates and a good-standing and disciplinary check.
Diaz given Spirit Award Natalia Diaz was recently presented the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award by Gov. Phil Bryant during the Excellence in Exporting awards ceremony. The award was given to Diaz for her service and professional dedication in economic development. Natalia is a member of the Jackson County Diaz Economic Development Foundation, where she serves as the Director of Asset and Resource Management.
Wrigley earns lawyer honor 6 graduate from program
Jaklyn Wrigley, a labor and employment attorney with Fisher Phillips in Gulfport, has been included in the Mid-South Super Lawyers’ 2017 Rising Stars list. This year marks the fifth year Wrigley has been designated as a Rising Star. Wrigley is the Secretary for the Board of the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar and President of the Board of Trustees for the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. She also serves on the Economic Development Council for the City of Ocean Springs.
After spending eight months and more than 100 hours of work in evening classes, six people will graduate from the Mississippi Small Business Administration’s 2017 Emerging Leaders Executive Training program. The SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative is a federal training initiative that specifically focuses on executives of businesses poised for growth in historically challenged communities. Graduates were Edward Peter Cole, Owner, Electro National Corporation, Jackson; James Phipps,
President\Founder, BeCloud, Jackson; Jason Thompson, Principal Owner, Fahrenheit Creative Group, Jackson; John Chambers, C.E.O., CardSoft Technologies, Jackson; Joseph Miller, President, ElectricWorks Inc., Jackson; and Margaret Skinner, Vice-President, PRN Devices, Inc., Raymond.
State geospatial honors The Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) recently announced its key business metrics and business award winners for the 2017 US Small Business Administration Geospatial Regional Innovative Cluster. EIGS is a program of the Magnolia Business Alliance (MBA), and a non-profit, industry-independent organization formed by Cluster members. The EIGS presented Cluster Awards for 2017 in 8 categories: » Cluster Partner Award: Geocent » New Member of the Year: Essnova » Member of the Year: Teledyne Optech » Large Business Partner of the Year: PAE » Veteran Owned Business of the Year: CorpsValues » Sponsor of the Year: Renaissance. » State & Local Government Partner of the Year: U.S. Navy » Resource Partner of the Year: Marine Industries Science and Technology cluster
Oxford lawyer recognized Benjamin E. Griffith, a principal of Griffith Law Firm in Oxford, is among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators for 2017. Selection to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional trial attorneys in high value, high stakes legal matters. To be considered for selection, an attorney must
have litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake. The top 100 qualifying attorneys in each state receive this honor.
Baker Donelson honored
Fourteen Mississippi attorneys with Baker Donelson have been named to the 2017 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers, which recognizes attorneys in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Overall 94 Baker Donelson lawyers in those four states were honored. Mississippi attorneys named to the list: Sheryl Bey, Michael T. Dawkins, Brooks Eason, Davis Frye, Robert E. Hauberg Jr., Leonard C. Martin, Dan M. McDaniel, William S. Painter, J. Randall Patterson, William N. Reed, Frederick N. Salvo III, J. Carter Thompson Jr., Robert F. Walker, and Richard F. Yarborough Jr. William N. Reed and Robert F. Walker were also named among the top 50 attorneys in Mississippi by Mid-South Super Lawyers. The publication also honored 9 Baker Donelson attorneys in Mississippi in its 2017 list of Mid-South Rising Stars: Tyler C. Ball, Brent Cole, Nakimuli Davis-Primer, Wendy Huff Ellard, Adam Gates, Samuel Gregory, Jennifer G. Hall, Adria Jetton and Bradley C. Moody. Overall 53 Baker Donelson attorneys were recognized. Super Lawyers is a service of Thomson Reuters, Legal Division. The selection process includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent evaluation of candidates, a peer review of candidates and a good-standing and disciplinary check.
Newsmakers Huggins top tree farmer Mississippi Forestry Association has named Joe Huggins of Oxford, as the 2017 MFA Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. Huggins’ Tree Farm, Goose Valley Ranch. Huggins will represent Mississippi in the 2018 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year competition sponsored by the American Huggins Tree Farm System. Huggins purchased his farm, Goose Valley Ranch, and has been under a written forest management plan since its inception. The property became a certified Tree Farm in 2003. Huggins does most of the work on his farm and his family is involved in its management. Huggins is a member of the Mississippi Forestry Association and a corporate member of the Lafayette County Forestry Association. He is also a previous recipient of the Lafayette County Soil and Water Conservation Stewardship Award and the Lafayette CFA Tree Farmer of the Year Award.
Johnson named top logger
Mississippi Forestry Association has selected Rodney Johnson of Pheba as the 2017 Outstanding Logger of the Year. Johnson built Johnson Timber Co. and is also active in forestry outside of his job. He hosts field days on his property, serves on the board of the CCFA, and often sponsors their Johnson meetings. Johnson bought the company from his father 19 years ago. Both of his sons and his wife, work in the business. The Johnson team includes one part time and two full time office managers, a truck shop manager, a wood yard employee, 14 truck drivers, six logging crew members, one logging crew supervisor, and one registered forester.
Miller completes CVA work
Mary Helen Miller, CPA, CVA, shareholder of the tax firm Miller & White, Inc., in Brookhaven, successfully completed the certification process with the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts to earn the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential. The NACVA is a profes- Miller sional association supporting the business valuation and litigation consulting disciplines within the CPA and professional communities. Business valuations are most commonly required with the purchase or sale of a business, succession planning, buy/sell agreements, charitable contributions, and estate and gift taxes. For litigation, valuations are often necessary in situations of business disruptions or disputes and divorce
Butler Snow lawyers listed Butler Snow has announced that 75 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers, and 31 have been selected as Mid-South Rising Stars. Mississippi attorneys named 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers are: GULFPORT Michael B. Hewes, Personal Injury – Products: De-
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the Corban Gunn Van Cleave law firm, for 18 years. Van Cleave bought the Porter Avenue building where Corban Gunn Van Cleave was based in August, laying the groundwork for Van Cleave Law.
MCEE earns award
Firm named to Top 75
Courtesy of MCEE
The Mississippi Council on Economic Education was selected by the Council for Economic Education as the very first recipient of the “Outstanding State Council” award. Pictured from left are: James Wilcox, USM Center for Economic & Entrepreneurship Education and faculty member for MCEE; Allie Hudson, VP of MCEE; Selena Swartzfager, President of MCEE; Christopher Caltabiano, Chief Program Officer of CEE. fense; Michael C. McCabe, Jr., Business Litigation; Paul S. Murphy, Bankruptcy: Business. OXFORD Paul V. Cassisa, Jr., Personal Injury - Products: Defense; Kari L. Sutherland, Personal Injury - Products: Defense RIDGELAND Phil B. Abernethy, Construction Litigation; Paula Graves Ardelean, Employment & Labor; P. Ryan Beckett, Business Litigation; H. Barber Boone, Business Litigation; Fred E. (Trey) Bourn III, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Don B. Cannada, Real Estate; Tommie S. Cardin, Administrative Law; Donald Clark, Jr., Government Finance; John A. (Jack) Crawford, Jr., Business Litigation; Paul N. Davis, Business Litigation; Richard M. Dye, General Litigation; Stephen C. Edds, Government Finance; John F. England, Government Finance; William M. Gage, Personal Injury – General: Defense; Mark W. Garriga, Administrative Law; Charles E. Griffin, Business Litigation; Tray Hairston, Government Finance; Steven M. Hendrix, Real Estate; John C. Henegan, Business Litigation; Donna Brown Jacobs, Appellate; J. Troy Johnston, Government Finance; Alyson B. Jones, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Christy D. Jones, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Brian C. Kimball, Business Litigation; Christopher R. Maddux, Bankruptcy: Business; Michael E. McWilliams, Business Litigation; Robert A. Miller, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Meade W. Mitchell, Class Action; Lemuel E. (Lem) Montgomery III, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Luther T. Munford, Appellate; Orlando R. Richmond Sr., Personal Injury – Products: Defense; E. Barney Robinson III, Business Litigation; Stephen W. Rosenblatt, Bankruptcy: Business; Phillip S. Sykes, Business Litigation; Timothy M. Threadgill, Employee Litigation: Defense; James B. Tucker, Criminal defense: White Collar; J. Paul Varner, Tax; Thad W. Varner, Government Finance; Benjamin M. Watson, Business Litigation; Joshua J. Wiener, Business Litigation. Mississippi attorneys named 2017 Mid-South Rising Stars are: GULFPORT Meta C. Danzey, Personal Injury – Products: Defense.
RIDGELAND Elizabeth Lambert Clark, Government Finance; John H. Dollarhide, Business Litigation; Haley Fowler Gregory, Business Litigation; atthew H. Grenfell, Real Estate; Kyle V. Miller, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Christopher D. Morris, Personal Injury - Products: Defense; Kenneth A. Primos III, Business/Corporate; Adam J. Spicer, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Ashley Nader Stubbs, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; William P. (Will) Thomas, Personal Injury – Products: Defense; Keishunna Webster, General Litigation; Ashley N. Wicks, Tax. Super Lawyers is a service of Thomson Reuters, Legal Division. The selection process includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent evaluation of candidates, a peer review of candidates and a good-standing and disciplinary check. Ridgeland-based Butler Snow has 21 offices in the United States and offices in London and Singapore.
McGlinchey lawyers listed Three Mississippi attorneys from McGlinchey Stafford have been included in the 2017 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers and Mid-South Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” G. Dewey Hembree III, Member, Jackson, named to Mid-South Super Lawyers in Business Litigation, Real Estate: Business, and Civil Litigation: Defense. Stephen T. Masley, Member, Jackson, named to Mid-South Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” in Civil Litigation: Defense, Bankruptcy: Consumer, and Banking. H. Hunter Twiford III, Member, Jackson, named to Mid-South Super Lawyers in Business Litigation and Class Action/Mass Torts. McGlinchey Stafford’s 190 attorneys are based in 13 offices in Alabama, California, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C.
Van Cleave to run law firm Christopher C. Van Cleave is the director of the Biloxi office of Van Cleave Law. Van Cleave, a Mississippi attorney and Gulf Coast resident for more than 20 years, leads the firm. Van Cleave practiced for two years with Paul Minor, and practiced with Clyde H. “Buddy” Gunn and Lawrence C. “Larry” Corban, with whom he formed
The Fisher Phillips Workplace Safety and Health Law blog has been named as one of the best on the internet, according toFeedspot’s “Top 75 Health and Safety Blogs” ranking. Of the thousands of health and safety blogs reviewed, Fisher Philips was ranked 18th by Feedspot’s group of expert panelists. The “Top 75 Health and Safety Blogs” are ranked based on Google reputation and search rankings, influence and popularity on social media platforms, quality and consistency of posts, and Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review. The “Top 75 Health and Safety Blogs” are recognized for their valuable contributions to workplace health and safety. Fisher Phillips firm has more than 350 attorneys in 32 cities, including Gulfport.
Ivey Mechanical promotes 2 Ivey Mechanical in Kosciusko recently promoted Nicholas Upchurch the Vice President for Business Development and Steve Barnhill the Vice President of Fabrication Services. Upchurch began with Ivey Mechanical in 2008 and has served in numerous roles such as: project coordinator, project manager, and business development manager. As Vice President of Business Development, Upchurch will continue to build and maintain customer relationships, seek and negotiate Upchurch new business opportunities, focus on technology and software trends, as well as coordinate all company-wide marketing strategies. Upchurch is Past President of the Kosciusko Lions Club, District Coordinator of the Mississippi Lions Club and a member of the Kosciusko Attala Partnership Community Development Board. He also serves on the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Public Relations Committee, as well as the ABC Young Professionals Committee. Upchurch and his wife, Hayley, reside in Kosciusko and have two children: Milly and Stafford. Barnhill began his career with Ivey Mechanical in 1983 as a management trainee and worked his way up to project manager, senior project manager, estimating manager, and operations manager. His current duties as Vice President of Fabrication Services involve manBarnhill aging and promoting the VDC/ BIM and fabrication activities that support the needs of Ivey. These efforts focus on providing BIM coordinated installation and fabrication information, as well as the fabrication of galvanized rectangular duct, fabricated metals, pipe spools, pipe racks, and in-wall and headwall plumbing units. Barnhill’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a MBA from the Massey School of Business at Belmont University. Barnhill is President of the Kosciusko Rotary Club and he enjoys cattle farming, gardening and general aviation during his spare time. He and his wife, Teresa, have two daughters and one grandchild.
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THE SPIN CYCLE
Trust Project aims to improve opinion of media
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an the media earn trust by being more transparent about its ethics and values? That’s the goal of The Trust Project, an initiative three years in the making that brings together news outlets such as The Washington Post, The Economist, and the Globe and Mail, as well as Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Bing, in a commitment to “provide clarity on the [news organizations’] ethics and other standards, the journalists’ backgrounds, and how they do their work.” The project will standardize increased clarity so that news organizations, large and small, around the world can use it, and so that leading tech giants can find and incorporate it. “The public can look at this and say, ‘okay, I know more about what’s behind this organization’,” said Sally Lehrman, senior director of journalism ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University and the creator of the project, which is funded by the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund, Google, the Knight Foundation, the Democracy Fund, and the Markkula Foundation. “Hopefully, it will pull back the curtain on some of our practices as journalists, which, in fact, a lot of people don’t know about. And this lack of transparency is partly what creates a sense of suspicion.” A team of representatives from dozens of media companies worldwide created eight “core indicators”: » Best Practices: What Are Your Standards? Who funds the news outlet? What is the outlet’s mission? Plus commitments to ethics, diverse voices, accuracy, making corrections and other standards. » Author Expertise: Who Reported This? Details about the journalist who wrote the story, including expertise and other stories they have worked on. » Type of Work: What Is This? Labels to distinguish opinion, analysis and advertiser (or sponsored) content from news reports. » Citations and References: For investigative or in-depth stories, greater access to the sources behind the facts and assertions. » Methods: Also for in-depth stories, information about why reporters chose to pursue a story and how they went about the process. » Locally Sourced? Lets people know when the story has local origin or expertise. » Diverse Voices: A newsroom’s efforts to bring in diverse perspectives. » Actionable Feedback: A newsroom’s efforts to engage the public’s help in setting coverage priorities, contributing to the reporting process, ensuring accuracy and other areas.
“Think along the lines of a nutrition label on a package of food, or a lab report that conveys your health status when you go in for a checkup,” Lehrman wrote in a post on TheAtlantic.com earlier this year. The Trust Project worked with Schema. org to create a standardized technical language for the tags so that tech sites can incorporate them. The first wave of publishers going live with the Trust Indicators includes The Washington Post, Mic, The Independent Journal Review, The Globe and Mail, The Economist, Trinity Mirror, The German Press Agency dpa, and Italy’s La Repubblica and La Stampa. Lehrman tapped these organizations to be first because “those are ones I knew had the technical capabilities to be the demonstrations. I also aimed to experiment with how this would work across different types of media.” The integration of the standard is a heavy technical lift – it needs to be incorporated into publishers’ CMSes and site code. You can check out this Trello board for links to how the Indicators are being incorporated onto various parts of participating publishers’ sites, from “About” pages to author bios to citations and references. The second wave will probably include a similar number of publishers. The Trust Project also worked with the Institute for Nonprofit News to develop a WordPress plugin that allows qualified publishers to incorporate the indicators into their sites. Eventually, the project will begin scaling more ambitiously. There are also, of course, the tech companies – Facebook, Google, Bing, and Twitter – that partnered with The Trust Project early on, and will infuse the Trust Indicators into its products in various ways. Partnering with The Trust Project since its conception has been important to Google, in large part because “we believe the indicators can help our algorithms better understand authoritative journalism — and help us to better surface it to consumers,” said Richard Gingras, vice president of news products at Google, in a statement. “We hope to use the Type of Work indicator to improve the accuracy of article labels in Google News, and indicators such as Best Practices and Author Info in our Knowledge Panels.” Facebook will display the Trust Indicators via the article context feature it launched in October. For now, the tech giants’ buy-in appears experimental and limited. Nobody is saying that they’ll favor Trust Project partners in their algorithms or anything like that. “You’re not going to see sudden changes
with the algorithm,” Lehrman said. The Trust Project is fundamentally nonpartisan. The Independent Journal Review is the most conservative launch partner, but overall, the project is meant to be a consortium of “news organizations that adhere to traditional standards,” Lehrman said. “The idea is that news organizations are providing information about how they go about their work, who funds them, and what their mission is in terms of coverage. The hope is that, if news organizations are more clear and transparent about what they’re doing, then users can make their own decisions.” The Center for Media Engagement (formerly the Engaging News Project) at The University of Texas, has been testing news consumers’ reaction to the Trust Indicators over the past few months, and though the full results haven’t yet been released, “the Trust Indicators did create a statistically significant shift in attitude about whether the site was trustworthy,” Lehrman said. “I am confident that, over time, this will start to build,” she said. “The Trust Project provides a strong sense of how journalism is distinct from other kinds of information. These organizations are independent. They don’t want to be controlled. But they are saying this is a situation where they want to band together to respond to the public need.” Cornucopia Mic: Kroger’s Zero Hunger program excellent gift to needy Kroger Co. recently embarked on an ambitious plan to address what its CEO called the “paradox” of hunger and food waste simultaneously plaguing American communities. Dubbed the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, Kroger is aiming to end hunger in communities where it does business while eliminating food waste across the company by 2025. The effort includes es-
tablishing a $10 million innovation fund through the Kroger Co. Foundation to address food waste and hunger; accelerating food donations; improving the quality of donated Todd Smith meals; and advocating for public policy solutions to address hunger. In addition, Kroger pledged to meet its internal waste reduction goals while working to eliminate food waste entirely by 2025 through prevention, donation and diversion efforts. Kroger will also work with new and existing partners, including the food bank network Feeding America and the World Wildlife Fund, to identify opportunities to achieve its goals. The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste campaign is an excellent example of corporate good will and citizenship, and is helping make the world a better place by doing what it knows best – food for the hungry! For that, Kroger gets the Cornucopia 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.
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