MBJ_Jun29_2018

INSIDE — Ben Allen to retire from Downtown Jackson Partners — Page 6 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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June 29, 2018 • Vo. 40 No. 26 • 28 pages

MBJ SPECIAL EVENT AND PUBLICATION

The bottom line on bottomland hardwood forests — Page 3

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June 29, 2018

Q

Mississippi Business Journal

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The bottom line on bottomland hardwood forests

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

Anderson-Tully Co. produced hardwood lumber for about 129 years at the port city of Vicksburg.

It was sold last month to the Vicksburg Forest Products, which is spending millions to convert the plant to turning out primarilysouthern yellow pine lumber from tree plantations in the surrounding area.

Why the conversion?

Are bottomland hardwood stands – the source of the mill’s timber for more than a century – becoming exhausted?

The answer to the question, in part and importantly, is that Anderson-Tully’s 300,000 acres of hardwood along the Mississippi between Memphis and Natchez were not part of the deal.

Efforts to determine whether there was any interest in the acreage on the part of the buyer were unsuccessful. Likewise, a message left with the seller on that matter was not answered.

Anderson-Tully’s forestland is part of the Forestland Group LLC’s holdings, which includes 2.8 million acres of hardwood trees in 23 states and four foreign countries. The Forestland Group says it controls the largest portfolio of U.S. hardwoods, and is the fourth-largest landowner in the country.

Until the mid-20th century, there was every reason to believe that after Europeans arrived in the 17th century and started cutting forests with abandon and continued for the next 250 years the supply would eventually be depleted.

The Mississippi Delta in the mid-19th century “contained great stands of of uncut cypress, as much as 50,000 acres in Tunica County alone,” said Donald E. Davis in his book, “Southern United States: An Environmental History.”

By 1879, there were 36 sawmills in the Delta, including eight in Bolivar County.

“Cypress logs were . . . floated down the Yazoo River, giving rise to [a] considerable industry in Vicksburg,” including the Anderson-Tully Co., Davis wrote.

Founded in 1889 as a vegetable crate manufacturer in Benton Harbor, Mich., Anderson-Tully soon moved its operations to Vicksburg, a location for a perfect shipping hub, incorporating railroad and river traffic. Plus, the fertile river soil and long growing season worked to provide the right environment for hardwoods.

Upstream, by 1905 “Memphis was the undisputed hardwood manufacturing center in the United States,” allowing the city to dub itself the “Hardwood Capital of the World,” a moniker that survived into the middle of the 20th century, according to Davis.

“Memphis hardwood manufacturers

advertised no fewer than twenty-one varieties of hardwood among their wood products, including such ‘exotic’ varieties as dogwood, persimmon, ironwood, tupelo and mulberry,” Davis wrote.

By the early 1880s, “hardwood species had been virtually eliminated from New England forests, making the Mississippi Delta a prime destination of some of the nation’s entrepreneurial lumbermen,” Davis wrote.

Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley deforestation peaked in the 1960s and 1970s “as global market demand escalated,” according to Emile S.Gardiner and James M. Oliver in their book, “Restoration Bottomland Forests in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley.”

Forest cover had been reduced to about 26 percent of the primeval forests, the authors wrote.

Soybeans, now Mississippi’s No. 1 row crop, contributed largely to the clearing of bottomlands.

In the late 20th century and early 21st century, the Amazon River Basin in South America, felt the soybean’s global power.

Rainforests in the basin were initially reduced to make way for beef cattle, whose pasturelands subsequently became crop fields, forcing further deforestation to provide pastureland, according to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

Since the peak of deforestation in the United the private and public sectors have worked together to sustain hardwood forests.

The Forestland Group prides itself in growing and harvesting “sustainable hardwood.”

ardwood trees, such as cypress (above), have long been a valuable resource in the Southern bottomlands.

Right: Forestland Group owns 300,000 acres of hardwood stands along the Mississippi between Memphis and Natchez.

Wise Counsel. Proven Advocacy. Real Solutions.

TAGGART, RIMES & GRAHAM, PLLC IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

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Formerly General Counsel to Mississippi Department of Public Safety 100 Renaissance Building 1022 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 101 | Ridgeland, MS www.trglawyers.com Main: 601.898.8400 | Fax: 601.898.8420

Q

3

4 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018 ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MISSISSIPPI

GAMING

We are all content generators T

What has to happen before the first sports wager in Mississippi?

here is nothing new or novel about generating unique content as a complement to an organization’s overall marketing strategy. In fact, as early as 1732, Benjamin Franklin began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanac as a means to promote his printing business. In 1895, John Deere launched The Furrow, an agricultural magazine that is still published today. The 1900s brought an uptick in content development, ushering in not only written content, but radio. For example, in 1924 Sears launched the “World’s Largest Store” radio program, which was used to keep farmers upto-date on the deflation crisis. Interestingly, it wasn’t until 2001 that the term “content marketing” was first coined.

What has changed in content generation, however, is the means in which we share and market our message.

In this digital age, we are seeing a decline in paid advertising and instead are seeing an increase in organic sharing. So, how can we as content generators keep up with the demand to grow our businesses? What advantages do new startups and entrepreneurs have above others in the content strategy market? Those are easy questions to answer … because we go by our own set of rules. Essentially, we have the luxury of seeing what works best for us.

Target audiences are becoming more engaged in content marketing; and as a result, content strategists must pay close attention to what viewers want and expect. By way of example, when developing a professional message to share with my audience, I keep these three factors in mind: • How can I elevate the community and drive thought leadership?

• How can I develop and share content?

• How can I think strategically about delivering the message?

Elevating the community and driving thought leadership While this strategy should always be the focus of your message, the content is useless if there is not an audience. Entrepreneurs, for instance, are no strangers to asking their friends and family for help. In developing a social media plan, this is no different. Do not be afraid to ask people to follow, like, and share your pages. This is the beginning stage of developing your brand’s community, and these are the people who genuinely want to see your business succeed. Offer something to your community that sparks a conversation or encourages thought. Create a system that encourages engagement.

Ask your community what information is interesting to them and what is important by their standards. When needed, ask others to contribute content for a fresh opinion and perspective.

Developing and sharing content Content is not about writing as much as you can and sharing it as often as people will allow it. It is about developing a message that adds value to those it reaches.

Offering content that is interesting and well thought out ensures your reader will take a moment to absorb your message. In addition, be sure your title or image is inviting and is something that begs to be shared. Always be mindful that you are competing with other content readily available to your consumer and that you have mere moments to gain the attention of and pull in your reader.

After you have developed your message, the most important step is how to share it. Your content needs to be visually appealing to encourage organic sharing – or

else risk your target audience scrolling right past your post. Pictures and videos are key players in ramping up your numbers on social media. This is where it is most important to have a simple, concise message. And, if you are sharing content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, it is imperative to have different content Matthew McLaughlin for each site. Consumers will likely “unfollow” if they get bored with your content, so keep it fresh on each front.

Also, a clean, fresh website is a great way to share your content; however, if it lacks the “wow factor,” you may be losing out on serious traffic. Think of your website as a storefront to your company, and you want consumers who need your product to come in a look around for a while. Your website is the easiest way for your potential clients to make a quick assessment about your company. And, circling back to driving thought leadership, a blog may be a great asset to your website. This is where you can publish well written material that encourages thought. A blog also provides an opportunity to invite community influencers to contribute as guest writers.

This, in turn, will inevitably raise your site visits due to your guest writers sharing the content they contribute.

Think strategically No post or content should be shared without first developing a strategic plan. The book Killing Marketing, by Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose, provides an insurmountable bit of information on developing strategy.

The authors offer several “big picture” questions that should be answered when developing a strategic plan, such as “What is the challenge?” and “What if things go wrong?” The intent is designed to make you think big and get your mindset centered on developing your strategy. Pulizzi and Rose then follow up these questions with more simplified questions while becoming more specific to what your audience needs are and how to best develop the content.

Perhaps the most important thing about content generation is paying close attention to your analytics.

This is easy on social media platforms. On business pages you can use the insight tool to see how your posts are trending. If you have a wordy message with 47 views and a video with 150 views, you know your consumer base responds better to videos. You can then develop your content around what your consumers respond to best. Keep track of your website visits and make sure you have prime SEO to help drive your numbers. Adjust your content as needed to increase traffic.

We are currently revamping our website and social media marketing at McLaughlin, PC, and these are all practices we are putting into place. Our goal is not to simply exist as a business – instead, it is to also contribute to our community, invoke thought, and boost others in our area.

Matthew P. McLaughlin is an attorney with McLaughlin, PC in Jackson, Mississippi, and serves as the executive director of the Mississippi Brewers Guild. Matthew’s passion is working with creative and entrepreneurial-minded people and organizations, having worked with and advised hundreds of entrepreneurs, startups, and social innovators throughout the Southeastern United States. He may be contacted at matthew@mclaughlinpc.com or 601-487-4550, or you may visit www.mclaughlinpc.com for more information.

W

hile many media outlets have reported that Mississippi is one of a handful of states on the forefront of preparing for legal sports betting after the Supreme Court declared the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional, there is a great deal that must happen before a Mississippi Tommy Shepherd casino may accept legal sports wagers.

First, the Mississippi Gaming Commission must adopt implementing regulations. On May 17, 2018, the Commission approved draft regulations to be published for receipt of public comment. If no public comments are received, the Commission could give final approval as early as June 21, 2018. The final regulations will become effective 30 days after adoption.

The draft regulations provide that sports betting service providers must be licensed as manufacturers and distributors under the Mississippi Gaming Control Act. Would-be sports betting service providers are already filing license applications with the Commission in anticipation of the draft regulations being finalized or being substantially similar to the current draft. Furthermore, while the company applicant must be investigated for licensing, company officers and directors must be investigated and found suitable, a process which can be time-consuming.

Any equipment used by prospective sports betting service providers must be tested and approved by an independent testing lab with testing reports to be submitted to the Mississippi Gaming Lab for final approval. Even large casino operators that plan to operate their own sports books will likely have equipment that must undergo this testing and approval protocol.

Casinos must also amend their internal controls to provide for sports betting and then submit those amendments to the Commission for approval.

Any casino employees working in the sports books or employed by the sports betting service providers must file applications for and receive work permits from the Commission.

Finally, while not dependent on any approval by the Commission, casino operators must make the physical changes to their respective properties required for their sports betting operation. For a smaller, standalone casino, this could be as simple as designating an area for installing several kiosks on which to place bets. For a larger casino which plans to have full sports book operations, this may necessitate significant construction on its gaming floor or elsewhere on the property.

While much work remains to be done before legal sports wagering in Mississippi may take place, we anticipate that the first bets will be taken by the kickoff of the college football season.

We also continue to believe that those who act quickly to take advantage of this opportunity will reap significant rewards over a multi-year period.

Tommy Shepherd is a partner in the Gaming and Business and Commercial Transactions Practices at Jones Walker LLP in Jackson, Miss. He represents business organizations and Native American tribes and financial institutions in all types of commercial and regulated matters

June 29, 2018

Q

Mississippi Business Journal

Q

5

ON MISSISSIPPI

U.S. Supreme Court kills Quill, now the real fun begins T he Supreme Court in South Dakota v.

Wayfair last week reversed a half century of its precedent and ruled that a physical presence is no longer necessary for states to require remote sellers to collect sales or use tax on interstate sales of goods.

Time will tell whether or to what extent Mississippi will experience the tax windfall predicted by many, as our statutes and regulations contain several requirements that still protect many sellers from local collection requirements even after the repeal of Quill. Perhaps more consequential, however, could be the risks this decision poses to Mississippi-based sellers now facing our sister states’ complex, inconsistent and highly expensive sales, use and even income tax requirements from which they previously were immune.

Mississippi law has long provided that remote sellers have use tax “nexus” with the state if they “purposefully or systematically” exploit the consumer market provided by this state via any media-assisted, media-facilitated or media-solicited means. Prior to the Wayfair decision, the state was constitutionally prohibited from enforcing this law against sellers lacking an actual physical presence in the state. In light of South Dakota’s and several other states’ challenges to that rule, the Mississippi Department of Revenue last year adopted new use tax regulations to prepare the state to collect these taxes in the event the Supreme Court overturned its prior decisions, but the Department postponed enforcement of that regulation until the Court ruled. Now that Quill is history, we should expect many non-Mississippi sellers to begin collecting and remitting the state’s use tax. How much new revenue that will generate is unknown.

Our current regulation, however, does not extend the obligation to all remote sellers. Only those sellers with at least $250,000 of sales into the state over a twelve-month period are required to collect Mississippi taxes, and only on a prospective basis once that threshold is met.

As written, the regulation also suggests if they subsequently fall below that threshold, their obligation perhaps ceases until they once again meet that trigger.

Even with the requisite sales, sellers still must have “purposefully or systematically” targeted the Mississippi market before their collection obligation arises. The new guidance provides several examples of what the Department considers as meeting this requirement. Specific to e-commerce, the regulations include “emails, texts, tweets and any form of messaging directed to a Mississippi customer; online banner, text or pop up advertising directed toward Mississippi customers; and advertising to Mississippi customers through applications ‘apps’ or other electronic means on

customer’s phones or other devices.”

The regulation does not specify what it means to direct any of these activities specifically to the Mississippi market, or how frequently those activities must occur. For example, if a seller markets generally over social media or makes email or text blasts to large nationwide distribution lists, have they specifically targeted Mississippi as such? Recent Supreme Court due process clause decisions suggest a constitutional distinction likely exists between general advertising or marketing that happens to reach someone in a state, as opposed to more targeted activities directly specifically toward someone within that jurisdiction.

These questions exist under many states’ laws and eventually will have to be answered , and likely will entail a fair amount of litigation to flesh out exactly how far laws such as Mississippi’s extend. Much of this litigation could implicate fundamental due process jurisdictional considerations extending well beyond sales taxes, and could further define the reach of the state’s jurisdiction over nonresidents in a wide range of non-tax contexts.

The Wayfair majority also went out of its way to point out that even after removing Quill’s physical presence requirement, many state sales and use tax schemes could be subject to constitutional challenges under other well-established constitutional principles. The Court felt South Dakota’s statutes likely contained sufficient safeguards against retroactivity, double taxation, and uniformity challenges, but Mississippi’s system does not include many of South Dakota’s features and in the right context may eventually be tested under some on some of these principles.

The more profound local impact of the Wayfair decision may be how it affects Mississippi-based sellers who previously have been able to leverage the internet to compete against larger sellers in interstate commerce. Chief Justice Roberts, joined by liberal justices Kagan, Sotomayor and

Breyer (odd bedfellows, indeed), noted that the GAO report cited by the majority stated that 87 percent to 96 percent of the top 100 online retailers were already collecting sales taxes, and that states were already collecting around 80 percent of all the taxes they would collect absent the physical presence rule. This is consistent with recent statements by Mississippi’s tax officials regarding how many large sellers are already collecting our taxes, but the true extent of the expected “windfall” is unknown.

For Mississippi’s small businesses, however, the Chief Justice highlighted the negative impact the decision could have on the ever expanding online marketplace they tend to occupy. “Correctly calculating and remitting sales taxes on all e-commerce sales will likely prove baffling for many retailers,” he explained. “Over 10,000 jurisdictions levy sales taxes, each with ‘different tax rates, different rules governing tax-exempt goods and services, different product category definitions, and different standards for determining whether an outof-state seller has a substantial presence’ in the jurisdiction.”

The majority dismissed many of these concerns by noting that over 20 states participate in the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, but failed to acknowledge that most of the largest states (and Mississippi) are not members of that pact. Those who regularly handle multistate sales tax issues can attest that numerous complex uniformity issues still exist even among those who do. Streamlined is nothing close to the panacea the majority purports it to be, and the Wayfair decision removes most of the states’ incentives to give up their historic practices and local fiefdoms to pursue uniformity. Many feel Congress now is even less likely to step in to pursue those badly needed reforms.

Moreover, the magical software solution envisioned by the Court’s majority is in its infancy and its capabilities and costs are

highly uncertain. Ultimately, the dissent explains that sales tax compliance costs and uncertainty will push many sellers out of the market altogether, and that the Court’s decision “will surely have the effect of dampening opportunities for commerce in a broad range of new markets.” This John Fletcher was no understatement, and many of Mississippi’s “main street” businesses who have learned to compete nationally and internationally via the Internet will soon experience that dampening effect first hand when our sister states come knocking.

We will likely see increased revenue following Wayfair, but offsetting factors will materialize over time that may make the true impact very difficult to calculate. How many small businesses will abandon online interstate sales altogether due to these new tax compliance costs, complexities and risks? How many now will be forced to sell through larger, better established businesses having the administrative capacity to handle those multijurisdictional compliance burdens? If they do, will those middlemen pick and choose whose products they choose to sell, and how much might they cut into the original seller’s current profitability? If sales tax nexus in turn leads to new state income tax filing obligations (California, for example, has been very aggressive in this area), how much will that reduce Mississippi’s income tax collections as our residents claim credits for the taxes they will have to pay to those other states?

The entire Supreme Court seemed to agree the Quill rule was incorrect and outdated in the modern economy, but they differed sharply on whether the Courts should simply throw out a half-century old rule upon which an entire online economy had been built, or leave it to Congress to more carefully and thoughtfully craft a solution that balanced everyone’s interests. The narrowly split Court made its decision, and now we are left to figure out where that leaves both states and taxpayers going forward, not to mention how significant an impact it will have on our overall economy. It will be along and bumpy road.

JOHN FLETCHER is a tax partner at Jones Walker LLP in Jackson, whose practice focuses primarily on state and local tax issues in Mississippi, Louisiana and other states. Having worked as a state tax attorney at General Electric Company and two national accounting firms, he is a former adjunct tax professor at the State University of New York at Albany and is a frequent speaker and instructor on a wide range of state and local tax issues of national interest.

May 2018

6 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

DeSoto 4.0

Mississippi 5.1 U.S. 3.6

Tunica 5.0

MISSISSIPPI’S MAY UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES

UNITED STATES Labor Force Data Civilian Labor Force Unemployed Unemployment Rate Employed

Tate 5.3

MAY ‘18 161,765,000 5,756,000 3.6 156,009,000

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Unemployment Insurance Data •• Initial UI Claims Continued Claims Benefits Paid Weeks Paid First Payments Final Payments Average Weekly Benefit

APR ‘18 1,278,100 54,000 4.2 1,224,100

APR ‘18 161,280,000 5,932,000 3.7 155,348,000

MAY 2018 8,249 34,596 $4,819,902 23,945 1,868 528 $201.29

MAY ‘17 1,285,700 69,000 5.4 1,216,700

MAY ‘17 159,979,000 6,572,000 4.1 153,407,000

APR 2018 3,984 34,229 $4,750,879 23,194 1,385 538 $204.83

‘17 Avg. 1,280,000 64,900 5.1 1,215,100

‘17 Avg. 160,320,000 6,982,000 4.4 153,337,000

MAY 2017 9,474 45,977 $6,586,533 32,716 2,241 759 $201.32

Alcorn 4.6

Tippah 4.7

Prentiss 4.9

Yalobusha 5.2

Calhoun 4.6

Leflore 6.9

Carroll 6.6

Montgomery 5.7

Humphreys 8.4 Sharkey 6.9

Moving Avg.** 161,008,000 6,665,000 4.1 154,343,000

Holmes 9.8

Yazoo 5.9

Issaquena 8.6

Lowndes 5.3

Oktibbeha 5.0

Choctaw 5.2

Winston 5.9

Attala 6.5

Monroe 5.3

Clay 6.6

Webster 5.6

Washington 7.0

Tishomingo 5.0

Itawamba 4.4

Chickasaw 5.4

Grenada 4.5

Sunflower 7.6

Lee 4.2

Pontotoc 4.3

Bolivar 6.2

Moving Avg.** 1,277,600 61,000 4.8 1,216,600

Lafayette 4.3

Quitman 7.6

Coahoma 6.8

Tallahatchie 5.2

MAY ‘18 1,293,100 66,000 5.1 1,227,100

Benton 5.6

Union 3.8 Panola 6.4

Labor force and employment security data STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Labor Force Data Civilian Labor Force Unemployed Unemployment Rate Employed

Marshall 5.0

Leake 5.4

Neshoba 5.0

Scott 4.2

Newton 5.5

Noxubee 7.5

Kemper 8.6

Madison 4.0 Warren 5.6 Rankin 3.7

Hinds 5.0

Claiborne 8.7

Copiah 5.5

Jefferson 12.8 Adams 6.3

Wilkinson 8.3

Franklin 6.0

Lincoln 4.9

Amite 6.3

Pike 6.0

Covington Jones 5.0 5.5

Walthall 6.8

Marion 5.6

Unemployment Rates

8.4 - 12.8

5.6 - 8.3 8.4 - 12.8

Lamar 4.1

Pearl River 5.2

Hancock 5.4

Clarke 6.5

Wayne 6.1

Lawrence Jeff Davis 6.2 6.6

** 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.

3.7 - 4.2 3.7 - 4.2 Labor force amounts are produced in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4.3 - 5.5 4.3 - 5.5 Note: Unless indicated state and county data presented are not seasonally adjusted.

— Mississippi Department of Employment Security5.6 - 8.3

Jasper 6.5

Smith 4.8

Simpson 4.9

Lauderdale 5.5

Forrest 4.8

Perry 5.9

Stone 6.2

Harrison 4.9

Greene 6.0

George 6.3

Jackson 5.7

Source: Labor Market Data Publication Design: Labor Market Information Department, MDES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Ben Allen to retire from Downtown Jackson Partners

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com After 11 years as president of Downtown Jackson Partners, Ben Allen will retire on Sept. 30, leaving behind a record of major development in Mississippi’s largest central business district.

“Ben’s commitment to the success of Downtown Jackson cannot be overstated,” Steve Davis, chairman of the DJP board of directors, said in Allen a release.

FILE/MBJ “His leadership has resulted in tens of millions of dollars in new Capitol Street is the main corridor of the renewal of downtown. projects that have transformed Downtown into a place that has attracted many new “The real credit goes to all those dedi- cording to figures furnished by the DJP. businesses and hundreds of new residents.” cated men and women who continue to see Allen’s tenure operated under a cloud Allen, who had been a city council mem- the potential of Mississippi’s largest, most for several years after he was charged with ber for 10 years before he took the reins of progressive Downtown area.” embezzlement from the partnership.

DJP in 2007, said in a release: Since Allen became president of DJP, However, he was found innocent on “I am so proud to have had the opportu- Downtown has seen many new public and nine of 10 charges and he drew a five-year nity to be part of an organization that has private developments totaling nearly $1 suspended sentence and two years’ probabeen instrumental in transforming down- billion. tion on the remaining charge. town into a premier district for business, Slightly more than one-quarter of that “Of course, an appeal has been applied government and residential living,” said amount came from the private sector, ac- for,” but the wheels of justice turn slowly, Allen, 67.

“It hasn’t even been assigned to a judge, for crying out loud.”

Allen said the whole matter, which surfaced in 2014 and was adjudicated last year, was “total b******t.”

The organization’s board has expressed full confidence in Allen.

Historical buildings have been converted into apartments. King Edward Hotel – abandoned for decades – was renovated and houses the Hilton Garden Inn and the King Edward Apartments.

The Jackson Westin, a ground-up project, opened Aug. 3, 2017 and added its 203 guest rooms to the total in downtown to more than 700, including the King Edward Hotel, which was resurrected after years of of abandonment and decay.

The old Standard Life Building became the Standard Life Flats.

Seven historical buildings across from the King Edward have been converted into 31 apartments, called the Capitol Art Lofts, bringing the total of new dwelling units to about 350 downtown.Several hundred more apartments are in various stages of development.

The partnership took the leading role in revamping Smith Park, a historic green space.

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MBJPERSPECTIVE June 29 2018 • www.msbusiness.com • Page 7

OTHER VIEWS

#THE OUTSIDE WORLD

Female inmate plight an issue

Website: www.msbusiness.com June 29, 2018 Volume 40, Number 26

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» INSIDE MISSISSIPPI

Electing champions for military assets is important for state

T

he defense authorization act is one of the most consequential bills that Congress considers each year,” wrote Sen. Roger Wicker in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. “I championed several provisions in this year’s bill to advance our defense strategy and support the role that Mississippi plays in our national defense.”

Mississippi bases, guard and reserve units, and defense industries do play important roles in our national defense.

These military assets also provide good jobs. Having champions in Washington is absolutely critical to their survival.

Mississippi voters should consider this in upcoming elections.

In the 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2005 BRAC rounds, the base closure process, the late Congressman G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery, former Sens.

Thad Cochran and Trent Lott, former Congressman Gene Taylor and then Congressman Roger Wicker played significant roles in protecting Mississippi assets. More importantly, they continually supported missions, acquisitions, and physical improvements to keep these assets topnotch. Their influence on their respective chamber’s armed services and appropriations committees was invaluable.

One only has to observe the historic

Bill Crawford

Maine vs. Mississippi political infighting over new Navy contracts at Bath Iron Works (now owned by General Dynamics) and Ingalls Shipbuilding (now owned by Huntington-Ingalls) to understand the importance of strong, effective congressional support. The same holds true for the many other defense industries scattered around the state.

Wicker, as chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, played a key leadership role last year in getting Congress to authorize a multi-year expansion of the Navy’s fleet to 355 ships. This will be a boon to both Mississippi and Maine in the coming years, e.g. the Navy hopes to build 10 new destroyers between the two facilities over the next four years.

With Cochran’s retirement this year and 2nd District Congressman Bennie Thompson’s tendency to cut defense spending, Wicker will be the key player on protecting and growing Mississippi military assets until other congressional leaders can emerge. Fourth District Congressman Steven Palazzo is in his Seventh year as a member of the House Armed Services Committee with key See CRAWFORD, Page 8

s a growing effort looks at ways to reform Mississippi’s criminal justice system, particular attention must be paid to the plight faced by incarcerated women and girls.

Although women and girls make up only 8 percent of Mississippi’s inmate population, that number is growing, according to a new report from Washington, D.C.-based national advocacy group The Sentencing Project.

Mississippi’s rate of female incarceration rose 925 percent between 1978 and 2016, from 8 to 82 incarcerated women per 100,000 female residents, as reported by Mississippi Today. That ranks Mississippi 14th nationally for the rate of female incarceration.

Nationally, 1.2 million women and girls are under the supervision of the criminal-justice system, with 1 million on probation or parole and another 200,000 in local jails or state and federal prisons.

Most women are imprisoned for nonviolent crimes, according to The Sentencing Project. Thirty-seven percent of women in state prisons in 2016 were convicted of a violent crime.

The plight of women and girls in the criminal justice system is significant, and not just because their numbers seem to be growing. They also face a unique set of circumstances, due to family pressures and the fact that they face more difficulties in finding jobs, after being released, than do male inmates.

More than 60 percent of women in state prisons have at least one child under age 18.

In the Mississippi Today article, ACLU of Mississippi executive director Jennifer Riley Collins notes the pressures those women face upon leaving prison. They must stay clean and sober, return to a primary caretaker role for their children, earn a livable wage, obtain reliable childcare and transportation, and find safe and sober housing for themselves and their children. At the same time, they’re trying to meet requirements of community supervision and additional demands of other public agencies, such as child welfare.

In Mississippi, with its historic challenges, all of these issues are generally linked with generational poverty and a lack of education.

Then there is the fact that Mississippi tends to allocate more resources to its male inmates. For instance, the Mississippi Department of Correction’s website lists 13 vocational opportunities for men, such as auto mechanic and welding technology, and only five for women.

Criminal justice reform has gained the attention of state lawmakers in recent years. That has included such topics as sentencing reform or restoring the voting rights of felons.

Given their rising numbers and unique challenges, those conversations must pay particular attention to the plight faced by female inmates.

That starts with a careful examination to better understand why the number of female inmates is rising and to comprehend the depth of challenges they face both during their incarceration and after their release.

— Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

PERSPECTIVE

8 I Mississippi Business Journal I June 29 2018

CRAWFORD

» RICKY NOBILE

Continued from Page 7

subcommittee assignments. 1st District Congressman Trent Kelly just completed his 3rd year on the same committee with good subcommittee assignments. New Senator Cindy HydeSmith has a key position on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The 3rd District will have a brand new Congressman. Of the two Republicans in the runoff plus the Democratic and Reform nominees, only Whit Hughes has experience with protecting and growing military assets. As Deputy Director at MDA he facilitated the Mississippi Military Communities Council and worked on defense industry recruitment and expansion.

Neither of Hyde-Smith’s major challengers in the November special election to fill Cochran’s seat appears to stack up well regarding military assets. Former Congressman and Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy thinks Mississippi shipyards still produce nuclear vessels (https://espyforsenate.com/statement/); they don’t. State Sen. Chris McDaniel voted “present” on the bond bill in 2017 that increased funds for projects designed to protect Mississippi bases from closure. He voted against a similar bill for Columbus AFB in 2016.

Wicker is right to highlight Mississippi’s important role in national defense. Electing champions who will fight to protect and grow our military assets will not only sustain that role but also provide good jobs to many Mississippians.

»INSIDE MISSISSIPPI

Megatrends in development

T

he year was 1984. The hot business book was Megatrends: Ten New Directions Transforming Our Lives. I had just begun teaching real estate at Millsaps College and wanted to have a showcase conference. It would be called, “The Future of Jackson, Mississippi.” The keynote speaker would be none other than John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends.

I contacted his office and learned that his fee was much more that the conference could support. However, his office suggested that its top researcher was available for a fee that was affordable. The invitation was made, she agreed to come and present her research about the area.

Shortly thereafter, a successful conference was held at the Walthall Hotel (now defunct) in downtown Jackson. Presentations and predictions were made by a variety of experts to a packed meeting room. The keynote speaker from the Naisbitt Group got everyone’s attention with the prediction that in the future Jackson would become “a donut city,” a poor inner city surrounded by affluent suburbs. Attendees seemed stunned. What? A donut city?

The prediction, or perhaps we should say forecast, proved to be right on the mark. Using income and poverty statistics alone verifies the prediction. Consider the latest median household income data and poverty from the Census Bureau: CITY Jackson Clinton Ridgeland Madison Pearl Brandon Byram

Med. Houshold Income $32,866 $58,723 $55,647 $100,918 $43,766 $71,485 $56,968

Poverty Rate 30.7% 14.3% 10.3% 3.1% 14.5% 5.4% 8.2%

Mississippi $40,528 22.3% U.S. $55,322 15.1% Source: 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Jackson is not the only city facing this situation. In 1984, the trend was already in place in cities across the United States. And has continued. As of the 2010 census, threequarters of all metropolitan-area residents lived outside the urban core. Another measurement to consider is metropolitan area median household income to that of the core city.

Using American Community Survey 2016 data for capital cities in surrounding states yields a similar conclusion. » Jackson metro » Jackson city

$50,632 $39724

» Little Rock metro » Little Rock city

$51,501 $45,605

» Montgomery metro $47,265 » Montgomery city $41,265 » Baton Rogue metro $52,487 » Baton Rouge city $38,470 Much has been written about white flight, suburbanization, affordable housing, and various causes of urban population trends. Lately, it is common to see articles about people moving back to the central city, especially millennials who are embracing a different lifestyle and the creative economy.

In spite of the above statistics, in most cities there are bright spots where revitalization is occurring. Jackson’s Fondren and Eastover Districts are prime examples. Downtown Jackson seems to be on the verge of finally taking off.

So what does the future hold? Are those trends still relevant or have we al- PHIL HARDWICK ready passed them by?

Now, some 34 years later, I decided to pull out my copy of Megatrends to learn if Naisbitt’s “directions” had come to pass or if like so many prognosticators they had been fodder for so-called trends and future books.

Would Naisbitt’s predictions turn out to be like those of economist Paul Krugman. He wrote in 1998, “The growth of the Internet will slow drastically, as the flaw in ‘Metcalfe’s law’ — which states that the number of potential connections in a network is proportional to the square of the number of participants — becomes apparent: most people have nothing to say to each other! By 2005 or so, it will become clear that the Internet’s impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machine’s.”

Below are Naisbitt’s original “Ten major transformations taking place right now in our society.” These were made in 1982. In my next column, I’ll provide an update on what happened to these transformations.

1. From an Industrial Society to an Information Society.

2. From Forced Technology to High Tech/High Touch.

3. From a National Economy to a World Economy.

4. From Short Term to Long Term.

5. From Centralization to Decentralization.

6. From Institutional Help to Self-Help.

7. From Representative Democracy to Participatory Democracy.

8. From Hierarchies to Networking.

9. From North to South.

10. From Either/Or to Multiple Option. » Phil Hardwick is a regular Mississippi Business Journal columnist and owner of Hardwick & Associates, LLC, which provides strategic planning facilitation and leadership training services. His email is phil@philhardwick.

Newsmakers Shopping Center Group announces new leadership The Shopping Center Group recently appointed Ray Jones as Operating Partner for its Alabama, Mississippi and Florida Panhandle region. Jones replaces fellow broker Gary Pharo who is stepping down from this role after serving for 13 years.

Jones will oversee business Jones development to identify new growth avenues for The Shopping Center Group’s tenant brokerage and landlord divisions that include management services. Jones will be a member of the company’s Management Committee that directs the overall activities of the company.

An Alabama native and graduate of Auburn University, Jones launched his real estate career with Coldwell Banker Commercial in Montgomery, Ala. He is a Certified Commercial Investment Member, Next Generation ICSC Organizer (Birmingham chapter) and member of International Council of Shopping Centers.

Butler Snow runner-up for International Law Firm of Year

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing in 1990 from the University of Southern Mississippi.

In 2012, Chatman completed the Mississippi State Personnel Board’s Administrative Support Certification Program.

“There is never a dull moment in payroll, and it’s definitely not repetitive or boring as some would think,” said Chatman, “Each day brings new experiences and training.”

In her spare time, Chatman enjoys spending time with family, writing poetry, sewing and painting. She has one son – Lee. She is a member of Friends of South Mississippi State Hospital.

SMSH is a 50-bed acute care behavioral health program in Purvis that offers mental health treatment and services for adults in the southern part of the state. The hospital’s Friends of SMSH organization recognizes an outstanding employee each quarter and provides service pins and incentive-related supplies and activities for hospital staff as well as needed services and events for patients. Friends of SMSH is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health and the needs of individuals with mental illness, improving the quality of life for patients, and providing recognition and support for employees.

Butler Snow is pleased to announce the firm was named runner-up for International Law Firm of the Year – USA in Citywealth magazine’s 2018 Magic Circle Awards.

The 2018 Magic Circle Awards, the premier awards for the private client financial sector, were held May 10 at the Hilton London Bankside.

“We are very honored to receive this award from one of the top private client financial publications in Europe,” said Donald Clark, Jr., chairman, Butler Snow.

“Being named runner-up by Citywealth reinforces the awareness Butler Snow is receiving across the United Kingdom and Europe.”

The Magic Circle Awards are held annually to select the best advisers, managers and firms in the global private client financial industry. Following an in-depth nomination and submission process each spring, all entries are shortlisted by a judging panel featuring 10 global industry experts. Online voting opens once the finalists are announced.

Citywealth magazine is a private wealth management publication.

Butler Snow’s International Wealth Transfer Planning team delivers tax and estate planning advice for individual clients who reside outside of the U.S., but have U.S. business interests, U.S. family members or U.S. investments. They work closely with local counsel in clients’ home countries to provide solutions that meet clients’ economic goals while minimizing the global income tax and estate/inheritance tax exposure.

Trustmark names LeKeita Braddy as credit officer

Chatman named employee of the Quarter

Shea Long has recently been named Assistant Vice President, Loan Processing. A native of Pearl, Long recently served as Loan Document Officer and has been in banking for 12 years. In her new role, Long will supervise loan processing, loan review personnel, train new employees, handle system maintenance upgrades, and manage day to

Angela Chatman was recently named South Mississippi State Hospital’s first quarter 2018 Employee of the Quarter. Chatman came to SMSH in October 2005 as the front desk receptionist. She worked several years as an administrative assistant before being promoted to payroll officer in July 2015.

Chatman is an Adams County native and graduated from Natchez-Adams High in the top 10 percent of her class. She currently resides in Lamar County.

Trustmark is pleased to announce that LeKeita Braddy has been named Credit Officer at its corporate headquarters in Jackson, where she serves as Senior Credit Administration Analyst.

Braddy has four years of banking experience.

She earned a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from Mississippi College.

Center for Sleep Medicine earns reaccreditation Hattiesburg Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine has received reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

The Center for Sleep Medicine is a full service sleep center that specializes in clinical evaluation and follow-up of sleep related problems.

To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. The accreditation process can take between six to eight months.

The Center for Sleep Medicine has been accredited since 1985.

Long named assistant vice president, loan processing

Long

June 29, 2018

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Banda receives Seven Seals Award

Courtesy of Forrest General Hospital

As co-workers and family look on, September Wallace (right), Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s (ESGR) Area 6 chair person, presents Keerthi Banda, hospital care service at Hattiesburg Clinic and medical staff at Forrest General Hospital, with the Seven Seals Award for meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve. The award is symbolic of the seven services: Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve, and it is the broadest and most inclusive award given by the ESGR. day operations for the Loan Department.

Long, graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor in Business/Marketing.

Active in her community, Long serves as a member of First Baptist Church of Fannin.

She is married and has a son, Wyatt.

Carroll named member of American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery Jackson Healthcare for Women recently announced that Dr. C. Shannon Carroll in will serve as the newest member of the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Carroll also currently serves as director of minimally invasive surgery at Merit Health Woman’s Carroll Hospital and is presiding chair and a nine-year officer for the Mississippi Section for the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Carroll served as an assistant professor at University Medical Center where he was instrumental in bringing laparoscopic hysterectomy and the university’s first laparoscopic lab to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Carroll received his undergraduate degree from Millsaps College, attended medical school at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and completed his residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a member of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopy, Mississippi State Medical Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.

Waste Management named on Military Times’ list Waste Management has made the Military Times’ Best for Vets Employers 2018 rankings for the ninth year in a row.

Waste Management maintains a network of veteran employment outreach partners to communicate openings and events, attending over 100 veteran job fairs in the U.S. and Canada each year. In 2017, 8.6 percent (over 1,000) of all the company’s U.S. hires were military veterans. More than 3,000 veterans work in a variety of roles at WM.

Manuel named Capital Area Bar Association President Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s J. William Manuel, a partner in the firm’s Jackson office, has been installed as president of the Capital Area Bar Association, the largest, independent bar association in Mississippi.

A member of Bradley’s Litigation Practice Group, Manuel Manuel focuses his practice primarily on commercial and employment litigation.

Manuel earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) from Mississippi State University.

The CABA serves the Jackson metropolitan area, including Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.

Newsmakers

10 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

MEC announces 2018-2019 board leadership

The Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) recently elected officers for the Board of Directors for 2018-2019. Elected officers include: · James Daniel “Dan” Rollins III, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of BancorpSouth Bank, as MEC’s 2018-2019 Chair. · William A. “Lex” Taylor III, President and Chairman of the Board of The Taylor Group, Inc., as MEC’s 2019-2020 Chair. · Anthony L. Wilson, Chairman, President and CEO of Mississippi Power, as MEC’s 2020-2021 Chair. · Rebecca Wiggs, Attorney at Watkins & Eager, as MEC’s Treasurer. Wiggs will also serve as Treasurer of the Mississippi Economic Council’s subsidiaries, the M.B. Swayze Foundation and the Public Education Forum of Mississippi.

“MEC strives to be the voice of business as we work together with state and local leaders to make Mississippi a better place to live and do business,” said Rollins. “Our membership, along with our newly elected board leadership, will help enhance our state’s opportunities and create an economic climate that benefits all of our citizens.”

Vicksburg District announces promotion

water management, and construction engineering and management. Presently, Sites puts her former management experience and surveying background to use for Waggoner. Sites has been a certified professional in erosion and sediment control since 2007. She graduated cum laude from Ohio University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

Trustmark promoetes three Rollins

Taylor

Wilson

Wiggs

VisitHattiesburg awards at 17th annual luncheon During the 17th annual Tourism Partners Luncheon recently, VisitHATTIESBURG recognized 32 tourism industry workers as Shining Stars as part of its National Travel and Tourism Week celebrations.

The Shining Star award is Hattiesburg’s only service-industry recognition.

The 2018 Shining Star recipients: Meagan Duckworth – Area Development Partnership Jamie Jefferson – Baymont Inn & Suites Mamie Seals – Baymont Inn & Suites Blu Jazz Café Staff Mequesha Thompson – Candlewood Suites D’Johnny Jackson – City of Hattiesburg John McLemore – City of Hattiesburg Nelson Cubley – City of Hattiesburg Rebecca Acker – City of Hattiesburg Jacky Keyes – Comfort Suites Pam Sanders – Comfort Suites Sue Gann – Comfort Suites Judy Haynes – Fairfield Inn and Suites Karen Knight – Fairfield Inn and Suites Anitra Anderson – Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites Michelle McIntyre – Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites Roxie Barber – Hampton Inn and Home2Suites

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, is proud to announce the promotion of 1st Lt. Cameron W. Fulford to the military rank of Captain.

Capt. Fulford is working at the Vicksburg District through the Army’s Technical Engineer Competency Development Program (TEC-DP). TEC-DP allows 1st Lieutenants with engineering and architecture degrees the opportunity to work for USACE for 18 months before entering the Engineer Captain’s Career Course.

Previously stationed at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia, Capt. Fulford was one of 9 lieutenants throughout the Army Engineer Regiment accepted into the summer 2017-2018 cycle for TEC-DP. Leaving the tactical part of the Army behind, Capt. Fulford’s responsibilities have shifted to more strategic tasks and projects. Splitting his time between two different departments, Fulford began working in the regulatory branch as a project Rebekah Johnson – Hattiesburg Arts Council Cathy Baca – Hattiesburg Convention Commission Chad McClendon – Hilton Garden Inn Gloria Nelson – Hilton Garden Inn Jeannette Bryant – Hilton Garden Inn Kristin Smith – Hilton Garden Inn Reginald Chapman – Hilton Garden Inn Ross Andrus – Hilton Garden Inn Austin Byrd – Holiday Inn and Suites Jeremy Barnes – Holiday Inn and Suites Jermaine Mabon – Holiday Inn and Suites Lonny Nelson – Holiday Inn and Suites Abby and Brandon Thaxton – The Lucky Rabbit Shannon Gandy – TownePlace Suites Shuntae Kelly – TownePlace Suites

Waggoner Engineering team grows Waggoner Engineering, Inc., a full-service economic development, program management and engineering firm, recently added four new employees to its team; Eric Jefferson, Zoffee Dahmash, Thomas Mayfield and Karen Sites.

Jefferson is a senior planner, responsible for the preparation of feasibility studies, creating transportation plans, environmental reviews and assessment reports. He is a member of the American Planning

manager and is now a project engineer in the hydraulics branch.

While working at the Vicksburg District, Capt.

Fulford has deployed to Puerto Rico in the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria. He was assigned to the Task Force Power team and operated as a Battle Captain and S-1.

Capt. Fulford’s next assignment is to attend the Engineer Captain’s Career Course in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Son of Mike and Diane Fulford, Hernando Beach, Florida, Capt. Fulford is a graduate of Ohio State University College of Engineering, with a degree in environmental engineering.

The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area in the tri-states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, that holds seven major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline levees. The district is engaged in hundreds of projects and supports disaster response in the tri-state area.

Association and the Mississippi Engineering Society.

Jefferson graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in Engineering and also is an adjunct instructor of Urban Studies at Jackson State University.

Dahmash is a discipline manager and senior project manager and brings more than 30 years of combined public and private sector experience, including time at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

At Waggoner, Dahmash focuses on client account management, watershed planning, restoration and stormwater management. Dahmash graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers as well as the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.

Mayfield is a designer, which involves designing roadways as well as rural and urban construction and rehabilitation projects. Mayfield has more than 30 years of design experience working for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. He was previously a member of the National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies. Mayfield received his B.S. in Technical Education from Alcorn State University.

Karen Sites is senior discipline manager. Prior to joining Waggoner, Sites served as President for Mississippi Engineering and Development, LLC. In this position, she gained extensive knowledge on roadway design, utility infrastructure improvements, storm

Trustmark is pleased to announce the promotions of Adam Hargett to First Vice President, Tyler Fears to Risk Officer and Meredith Davis to Credit Officer at its corporate headquarters in Jackson.

Hargett previously served as Credit Officer and has 11 years of banking experience. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.

Fears previously served as Risk Management Analyst and has four years of experience in the financial industry. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi with concentrations in Banking & Finance and Managerial Finance.

Davis previously served as Credit Administration Portfolio Analyst and has nine years of banking experience. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mississippi College.

Hargett

Fears

Davis

Molpus Woodlands Group announces new VP The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC (Molpus), a timberland management organization headquartered in Jackson, announced the appointment of Ashley S. Harris as the company’s new Vice President-Timberland Investments. Harris will be the company’s leader directly responsible for overall sourcing Harris of acquisitions and overseeing the closing processes.

Harris, 40, is a graduate of Mississippi State University (B.A., Banking and Finance, 2000) and the University of Mississippi School of Law (J.D., 2003). Prior to joining Molpus, he was a partner with the law firm of Adams and Reese LLP. His practice focused primarily on forestry, real estate and financing transactions. During Mr. Harris’ 15 years of practice, he represented timberland management companies in acquisitions and sales of more than 8 million acres of timberland along with timberland-related issues such as complex structuring on acquisitions and dispositions, financing of acquisitions, fiber supply agreements, natural resource opportunities (solar, wind, mineral and carbon), environmental issues and conservation easements.

June 29, 2018 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com

AN MBJ FOCUS: REAL ESTATE

Island View opens $75M smoke-free beach casino MBJ Wire Reports

Officials with Island View Casino Resort opened the doors Tuesday to a $75 million casino expansion during a ceremony attended by local and state dignitaries.

Island View’s Beach Casino is located on the south side of U.S. Highway 90 adjacent to its Beach Tower.

The Beach Casino is a 43,000-square-foot smoke-free casino.

This expansion is the fourth phase of growth for the Island View Casino Resort, which opened Sept. 15, 2006.

With this expansion, Island View boasts the largest casino floor in the State of Mississippi, totaling 126,000 square feet of gaming space. Island View’s dual casino options offer guests a choice of smoking or non-smoking with both casinos offering superior promotions, high quality games and first-class entertainment. Owners Rick Carter and Terry Green have invested over $400 million into the resort, which includes over 1 million-square feet of beachfront gaming, hotel and entertainment space.

“As a private, locally owned business, we recognized the opportunity to further invest in the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s future. This casino expansion strongly supports our area’s tourism industry and generates an economic impact from the 300 new jobs that we have created,” said Carter. Green added, “Our focus has always been on delivering a great resort experience with memorable service for our guests.

Island View’s Beach Casino gives guests a smoke-free option without giving up the amenities they have come to enjoy.” Lindsey Inman, CEO of the Island View Casino Resort said about the Beach Casino, “Guests will enjoy the same games and promotions on the beach side as they have come to expect on the north side of the property. This is the first and only casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to actually be built as smoke-free. We are very excited and

proud to bring the Beach Casino to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

The Beach Casino’s design features floor to ceiling windows with unmatched views of the Mississippi Sound, very unique for a casino. The expansion also includes the Prime Cut restaurant, the Dockside Deli, the Beach Coffee Shop, and Gulf Breeze Daiquiris.

Other amenities include entertainment on the stage built in the center of the Beach Casino and a sports bar where Island View will ultimately offer sports betting. Construction of the Beach Casino was completed by Roy Anderson Corp. and managed by Island View’s architect Meng Chai. Financing for the project was provided by a group of banks led by Wells Fargo and includes Capital One, BancorpSouth, Hancock Bank, Trustmark National Bank, First Tennessee Bank and The Peoples Bank.

It makes people 0;Ѵb; ; 7b@;u;m|Ѵ ĺ With Trustmark as your true financial partner, you can expect expert advice, tools and technology to help manage your business’s finances—freeing you to turn your great idea into a lasting mark.

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Real Estate

12 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

Biloxi resort plans $140M amusement park, hotel tower MBJ Wire Reports

The owners of the Margaritaville Resort Biloxi announced Thursday that they will move forward with a $140 million hotel expansion and amusement park after settling a lawsuit with state officials.

The current 371-room hotel was built as Casino Magic Biloxi. It was vacant for years after 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, but re-opened two years ago as a family-focused vacation destination without gambling.

Spokesman Cono Caranna of the Barrington Group said Thursday that the owner agreed to lease land from the state, paying more than $650,000 a year.

Caranna said expansion will include a second 300room hotel tower and an elevated amusement park to go with the current extensive arcade, pool and indoor playground. He estimates the expansion will add 600 jobs. “Post-Katrina, everything that was on the beach that was family-friendly didn’t come back,� he said, explaining the resort’s popularity. “Adding this to the mix added something that allowed families to come to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.�

The owners of the hotel were challenging the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office claim that the state owned some land south of the U.S. 90 beachfront highway. The city of Biloxi, the Biloxi school district and Harrison County were also challenging the claim.

All those parties are dismissing their lawsuits, with Biloxi city spokesman Vincent Creel saying the developer agreed to relinquish its ownership claims to at least some disputed land.

The city of Biloxi had threatened to rezone the land to prohibit casinos, a move Hosemann said would make the lease less valuable for the state. The city didn’t do that and Hosemann said the Margaritaville

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lease includes a rent increase if the developer ever opens a casino on the site.

The same development group opened a second Margaritaville in a former casino hotel in Vicksburg on Saturday.

The Barrington Group also has redeveloped or is working on four other developments in Gulfport and Biloxi.

Real Estate

June 29, 2018

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AN MBJ FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION

Elevated pedestrian crosswalk to span Highway 90 at Beau Rivage

By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com Biloxi is going up. One of the busiest intersections on Highway 90, the intersection with Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and the MGM Park, is getting an elevated pedestrian crosswalk.

The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is the largest hotel in the state with 1,740 rooms. It is across the street from the MGM Park, home of the minor league baseball Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Biloxi Shuckers of the Southern League, with 5,000 fixed seats and room for an additional 800 to 1,000 fans in berm seating.

Mississippi Department of Transportation Southern District Commissioner Tom King said the pedestrian crosswalk near Caillavet Street was designed by Neel-Schaffer.

King said the $3.6 million project was awarded to Malouf Construction, LLC of Greenwood, and is estimated to be complete in early 2019.

The intersection sees high volumes of both foot and vehicle traffic. This area has also seen even more congestion from recent economic development and tourism.

Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said that for years there has been talk of finding a way to attract visitors from the thousands of hotels rooms south of Highway 90 to the downtown area.

“But first, we had to give them more to see and do, and I think we’re doing that with our restoration efforts,” Gilich said. “Then, we had to give them an easier way to explore north Highway 90, and we are doing that now with two pedestrian

crosswalks. Construction has begun on the first one at MGM Park and Highway 90. The second, currently under design, will be built north of the Small Craft Harbor and Highway 90 and should begin by the end of the year.”

Randy Boudreaux, the Gilich Neel-Schaffer engineer of record on the first project, said the pedestrian bridge will be 160 feet long and have an 8-foot clear width.

“The bridge was designed using AASHTO LRFD specifications,” Boudreaux said. “There will be an elevator-stair tower at each end of the bridge that will comply with Americans with King Disability Act requirements. The bridge was designed for a standard pedestrian loading of 75 pounds per square foot. The bridge will be a four-sided steel truss with safety fencing on the sides and top to protect the public. The top landing of the bridge will be located at the same level as the third floor of the Beau Rivage parking garage and the second floor of the MGM Park parking garage.”

Beau Rivage Facilities Director Al Green said the pedestrian crosswalk will be a welcome addition to downtown Biloxi.

“It will offer convenience and safety for outof-town visitors and locals who cross between

the south side to the north side of Highway 90,” Green said. “With more than 16,000 vehicles passing per day, this crosswalk will provide a safe and effective manner for pedestrians to cross, particularly during high traffic volume times and peak events on either side of the highway.”

Green said the crosswalk will go over five west bound and five east bound lanes including turn lanes just west of Caillavet Street. Construction of the crosswalk includes a clear span pre-engineered design with landings near the MGM Park parking garage on the north side and near the Beau Rivage parking garage on the south side.

Green said the covered walkway will be architecturally compatible with surrounding landmarks and nearby high rise iconic structures. Both landings will include two stories with elevators at each location and air-conditioned lobbies on each floor.

Each landing includes bypass stairwells for emergency exits and to meet fire safety regulations.

Biloxi Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard said design continues to be tweaked on the pedestrian overpass that will be just east of Main Street.

“We are still working right-of-way issues, so the exact location has not been pinpointed yet,” Leonard said. “We do know that it will be just east of Main Street and cross into the park at the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor.”

Leonard said they expect to see a contract awarded in the summer and construction completed possibly as early as the end of the year.”

Biloxi’s has adopted an 85-page Downtown

Restoration Plan th timetable for progr ing sources for muc incentives for small public focus to this re-opening of How with on-street park The overriding g from the urban ren when the city attem Edgewater Mall by an traffic only.

Planner Lindsay sippi Planning and major portion of th tives for developme “We actually have communities and s “There’s a commun from $5,000 to $17 program that offers depending on appr board. With the pla portunities, this is n sits on a shelf. It’s a that shows how the single recommenda The developmen way traffic to Howa four to six months estimated cost is $1

June 29, 2018 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com

hat lays out a year-by-year ress, with identified fundch of the work and a host of l businesses. Much of the point has been the proposed ward Avenue to two-way traffic king. goal of the plan is to move away newal project of decades ago, mpted to diminish the impact of converting streets to pedestri-

Ward of the Southern MissisDevelopment District said a he plan is dedicated to incenent. e quite a few programs for mall businesses,” Ward said. nity development loan fund 75,000 and a revolving loan s from $2,000 to $500,000, roval our loan committee and an itself and the funding opnot an 85-page document that a step-by-step holistic approach e city can implement every ation.” nt district says restoring twoard Avenue could be realized in once construction begins. The 1 to $1.5 million.

Courtesy of MGM

MGM Park at Beau Rivage

2018

Special event of the Mississippi Business Journal

Sponsored by

Photos by Stegall Imagery

Top in Tech

18 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2018 CLASS SHEENA ALLEN, CapWay and Sheena Allen Apps .........................................19

CARLA LEWIS, C Spire................................................................................. 23

J. STAN BURTON, Burton Computer Resources, Inc. .....................................19

ROBERT LOWERY, The Taylor Group........................................................... 23

STEPHEN BYE, C Spire .................................................................................19

GARY MATTHEWS, Tishomingo Development Foundation........................... 24

DAVID FONTENOT, Liquid Creative .............................................................20

SUSAN MCDANIEL, St. Dominics ............................................................... 24

JAMES W. GARNER, TEC............................................................................20

J.P. MCINNIS, Copiah-Lincoln Community College ......................................... 24

CARRIE GOETZ, Paige DataCom Solutions ...................................................20

BARBARA MILLER, C Spire......................................................................... 24

BRAD GOFF, Huntington-Ingalls ....................................................................21

BENJAMIN MONCRIEF, C Spire.................................................................. 25

GARRET GRAY, Next Gear Solutions..............................................................21

DAVID J. SLIMAN, USM .............................................................................. 25

KIM GRIFFIN, Clinton Public Schools..............................................................21

CHAD WALLACE, Belhaven University.......................................................... 25

JAMES HARROD, Liquid Creative ................................................................ 22

NICHOLAS WILLIAMS, USM ..................................................................... 25

VICKI B. HELFRICH, Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission ........ 22

KEVIN YEARICK, UMMC ............................................................................. 26

CHRIS HENDERSON, Camgian Microsystems.............................................. 22

JONATHAN YOUNG, Members Exchange .................................................... 26

JUSTIN A. HOGUE, LEC Incorporated .......................................................... 22

Photos ..............................................................................................................17

JONATHAN HOLLINGSHEAD, Business Communications, Inc (BCI) .......... 23

Past winners..................................................................................................... 26

MICHAEL LENOIR, AmFed Insurance Services, LLC ...................................... 23

Driving Technology

Forward James W. Garner

Vice President Operations

TEC proudly congratulates James W. Garner2018 Mississippi Business Journal Top in Tech Award recipient.

James is not only the driving force behind technology operations at TEC, but also a leader within the industry. He is committed to providing the company and its customers with the highest level of technology available. His peers widely recognize James for his innovation and expertise.

Thank you for your dedication.

TEC.COM

2018 TOP IN TECH AWARDS ARTICLE REPRINTS Call 601-364-1044 or submit request online at http://msbusiness.com/mbj-article-request/

Top in Tech

June 29, 2018

Q

Sheena Allen

J. Stan Burton

CapWay and Sheena Allen Apps

Burton Computer Resources, Inc.

S

heena Allen is an entrepreneur from Terry. During her senior year of college, she thought of a mobile checkbook app after leaving WalMart. With no technical background, she created her first mobile app in mid 2011.

The app would be the start of her first startup, Sheena Allen Applications, a company with a portfolio of photo and social apps. Sheena bootstrapped the company to millions of downloads before starting her second startup, CapWay. After still seeing a large problem with the financial system while visiting her home state of Mississippi, Sheena’s research lead her to start CapWay after realizing the financially underserved was 3 billion strong worldwide.

Allen was featured in She Started It, a documentary that follows the startup journey of five young women. The film has been shown worldwide at schools, community organizations, and tech headquarters.

She is a 2011 graduate of Southern Mississippi with degrees in psychology and film.

Stephen Bye C Spire

S

tephen Bye is one of the U.S. wireless industry’s rising stars, according to Fierce Wireless, an internationally recognized online publication and email newsletter that focuses on the latest trends, analysis and news in the wireless industry.

Bye, who reports directly to C Spire CEO Hu Meena, is leading the company’s efforts to develop and deploy next-generation 5G and fixed wireless technologies for millions of Mississippi consumers and businesses.

Bye was named president of C Spire by Meena in December 2016 after an earlier stint as chief technology officer of the Mississippi-based diversified telecommunications and technology services company.

C Spire is one of the state’s leading employers and contributors to its overall economy. The company’s wireless unit is the sixth largest in the U.S. and the largest privately-held mobile service provider in the nation.

A well-known and widely respected 25-year veteran in the telecommunications industry, Bye served previous stints as CTO at Sprint, vice president of wireless at Cox Communications and executive director of converged services at AT&T. He is married with two sons and is involved in the community, including with the Troop 1 Boy Scouts in Jackson.

S

Mississippi Business Journal

tan Burton is CEO at Burton Computer Resources in Laurel.

For more than 20 years, Burton Computer Resources has been bringing professional-grade computer technology to small and medium-sized businesses of South Mississippi.

Burton Computer Resources is a 12-employee IT services company providing managed services, hardware, software, consulting, web development, web hosting, and email hosting and filtering.

Burton graduated from Meridian Junior College in 1977 and then 1979 from Mississippi State University with a degree in electrical engineering, followed by a masters in electrical engineering from MSU in 1980.

Stan is married to Sheree Warnick Burton and they have two children, Elise and Ellyn. He is a member and deacon of First Baptist Church, Ellisville, a Sunday School teacher of adult couples and a choir member.

Q

19

Top in Tech

20 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

David Fontenot

James W. Garner

Liquid Creative

TEC

A

s Liquid Creative’s resident web expert, David uses his vast array of skills and experience to lead the Web component of the Liquid Creative services.

The Ole Miss grad has worked in IT for several years. He has been proactive troubleshooting potential Web and technical issues for Liquid.

The “web whisperer” is integral to the creative process and ensures that our clients’ online brand messages are strong. David’s easy manner and willingness to share his IT knowledge make him a popular guy at Liquid Creative. He is married and has one child.

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH REPEATING! Digital Reprint Article or list will be reformatted with Mississippi Business Journal masthead on the top of the page and be provided in PDF format.

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601-364-1044 Fax: (601) 364-1007 WAYS TO ORDER » Call: Fax or mail: Mississippi Business Journal Attn: Marcia Thompson-Kelly 200 North Congress St, Ste 400, Jackson 39201 Email: marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com or submit a request online at http://msbusiness.com/mbj-article-request/

J

ames W. Garner is Vice President of Operations for TEC, an innovative full-service provider of telecommunications and network services. James leads a comprehensive array of operations teams in every aspect, including strategic planning, budgeting, project management, construction, technology upgrades, new service implementation, and maintenance.

He works daily with the operations team members to insure TEC provides quality broadband and voice services to customers throughout the southeast.

James is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, where he focused his postgraduate work on thermal analysis and fluid dynamics. After working at Rockwell International on various NASA Space Shuttle and Department of Defense weapons projects, James began working for TEC in 1992. Currently, James serves as board member for a number of TEC’s subsidiaries.

He also is a board member and past president of the Tennessee Telephone Association. James is married to Joey F. Garner, and they have three children, Jessica, Joseph, and John.

Carrie Goetz Paige DataCom Solutions

C

arrie Goetz is the Global Director of Technology at Paige DataCom Solutions.

She has more than 30 years of experience in all facets of IT and facilities.

She is globally published and speaks at Industry events globally. She holds and RCDD/NTS, CDCP and is a 1st degree Infrastructure Mason. Carrie has had 40 certifications throughout her career and holds an MBA. She is on the AFCOM board of advisors, Cnet Technical Curriculum Advisor Board, Vice Chairman and Liaison for STEM to AATC, a member of WIMCO, 7×24 Mentoring program and champions women in data centers and technology platforms. Carrie is published in over 250 publications in 69 countries and has designed and worked in mission critical environments around the globe.

Goetz is a STEM advocate, and mentors numerous young women, and men. She is on the AFCOM board of advisors, the Data Center Institute board of advisors and WIMCO, among many others. She was recently awarded an honorary doctorate for lifetime contributions to the industry from AATCU. She carries the values and hospitality of Mississippi wherever she goes, and often invites people to enjoy the Rez.

Top in Tech

June 29, 2018

Brad Goff

Garret Gray

Huntington-Ingalls

Next Gear Solutions

B

rad Goff is IT Program Manager at Huntington Ingalls Industries on the Gulf Coast.

Process Improvement, Leadership, Program Management are his main areas of focus. Given a problem, he can establish a team which can form a solution then manage through implementation. The keys to this success are through several factors: Strong communication, enhanced customer acceptance and constant collaboration, and lastly constant feedback and response to change.

Goff has been with Huntington Ingalls in some for or fashion since 2008 and before that was the Information Technologies Manager for IP Casino.

He is a graduate of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the Information Technologies Program Management program at Capella University.

Kim Griffin Clinton Public Schools

A

s technology director at Clinton Public Schools, Kim Griffin has spearheaded numerous successful initiatives that transformed teaching and learning. The Clinton Public School District is widely recognized as a leader in educational technology, and administrators in other school districts visit regularly to tour classrooms and see first-hand how classroom technology is being used.

Among her duties are: Making sure schools and offices have adequate infrastructure to support technology, overseeing student and faculty devices, including negotiating with vendors for pricing and quality when purchasing devices, deploying computers/cords/cases to 5,200-plus students in grades K-12 each August, among many other things.

Griffin manages a staff of nine, including instructional technologists (who provide training and tech support for teachers); student data manager; Apple and Windows system administrators; and tech specialists.

Griffin is a strong leader in her department and throughout the Clinton Public School District. She is well respected personally and professionally. Her hard work does not stop at her job as she is also the mother of three children in CPSD.

G

Q

Mississippi Business Journal

arret Gray is president and CEO of Next Gear Solutions.

Gray is a dynamic consultant that promotes change resiliency and lean processing. Utilizing Six Sigma principles, industry experience and knowledge, Garret customizes processes that fit targeted organizations within unique markets.

Gray has a proven track record in designing and implementing quality improvement initiatives that both increase quality for the customer and cut cost for the organization. The core guiding principles for Garret are to assure all processes in a given organization are value added, lean and allow for “operating transparency”. Next Gear Consulting was launched by Garret and has allowed him to work with hundreds of restoration contractors in the United States and Canada to increase sales, profits and communications utilizing creative marketing tactics and developing uses for the latest technology.

Garret’s focus is on technology based lean solutions that both increase efficiency and effectiveness. This technology will also have significant marketing benefits that will attract clients to your organization.

Q

21

Top in Tech

22 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

James Harrod

Vicki B. Helfrich

Liquid Creative

Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission

J

V

ames Harrod is Web Developer and Programmer for Liquid Creative.

Harrod’s “can do” attitude is apparent the moment you meet him. Having earned both his Ph.D. and Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, James knows what hard work means. He is also FE/ EIT Certified. His bevy of knowledge and research skills help Liquid Creative better serve its clients. When James sets his mind to a task, he accomplishes it. Whether that challenge is building a website or learning a new skill, James will do it. And he’ll probably do it with a smile.

icki Helfrich is responsible for overseeing the build out and operations of Mississippi’s Statewide Public Safety wireless communication system, the nation’s first statewide P25 Phase I I public safety communications system.

Over the past six years Helfrich has been instrumental in building a mission critical interoperable communication system from 6,000 subscribers to more than 35,000 including subscribers from state agencies, local entities, the federal government and non -governmental organizations.

The use of the system has increased interoperability among and provided the avenue to break down silos which were prevalent among emergency responders. As a result, coordinated efforts are achieved everyday between subscribers including the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, local police, firefighters and sheriffs, Electric Power Associations, and ambulance service providers to name a few.

2018

Chris Henderson

Justin A. Hogue

Camgian Microsystems

LEC Incorporated

C

hris Henderson is the Vice President of Engineering at Camgian Microsystems. He is a pioneer in the Internet of Things space in building turnkey solutions from data collection at the Edge using different sensors that include Infrared, Seismic, Radar, Strain Gauge, Video etc, performing Edge analytics and then delivering summary data over the cellular network to the a Cloud platform where complex rules and algorithms are applied and results presented to the user in a web interface accessible to authorized users in a secure manner from any location.

Henderson has extensive experience in technology leadership positions that include several startup ventures as well as large established technology organizations including Computer Sciences Corporation. His roles have included multiple facets of technology development that cover software, hardware and embedded firmware.

He is co-author of a patent for “Systems and Methods for Auto-configuration of a Generic Metering device on a wireless Network”. Chris graduated with a degree in Computer Science from the University of Mississippi.

A

s VP Director of Business Development, Justin leads LEC’s cross-functional team in the expansion of the Company’s ecosystem of strategic partners and in the advancement of cutting-edge technology offerings related to the generation of new IIoT applications, platforms and network architectures to better serve Industry.

Justin pioneered and launched LEC’s IIoT platform and services in 2012, catapulting the Company to its current status as a proven market leader, business partner and end-to-end solutions provider in experienced IIoT enablement.

His extensive engineering experience combined with his continual commitment to LEC’s investment in technological advancement allows Justin to expertly manage and develop LEC’s already vast portfolio of industrial automation and IIoT enablement products and services.

Justin is a Certified Professional Engineer and received his degree from Mississippi State University’s Bagley College of Engineering. He was selected as one of Mississippi’s Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders for 2009 by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Top in Tech

June 29, 2018

Q

Jonathan Hollingshead

Michael Lenoir

Business Communications, Inc.

AmFed Insurance Services, LLC

J

M

onathan Hollingshead became president of Business Communications Inc. this year after spending five years with Logistic of Jackson.

At BCI, Hollingshead leads the 25-year-old IT Solutions and Managed Solutions Provider with 60-70 employees spread across Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

He is responsible for maintaining and growing annual revenues of 40 million dollars, provides strategic direction and planning with a focus on profit margin growth, identifies operational efficiencies and implement new processes to lower costs and automate tasks o Identify and implement tools to provide better customer experiences and expands portfolio to differentiate from and increase advantage over competitors .

Hollingshead is a 1992 graduate of Mississippi State with a double major in mathematics and computer science. He earned his MBA from Mississippi College in 2001.

Mississippi Business Journal

ike Lenoir is the owner and senior engineer at Matrix Solutions in

Jackson.

Lenoir formed Matrix in 1992. He provides software development services and network consulting services, and is the primary provider of practice management software consulting services.

He has two engineering degrees: an MS in Computer Engineering from Ole Miss and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State. He resides in Brandon with his wife, Rachael, son, Seth, and daughter, Clara.

In a recommendation letter for Lenoir is was said, “Mike and his team at Matrix Solutions go well beyond the standard ‘network service and support’ offerings of most tech providers. We use Mike’s mobile app platform NTOUCHAPP to create ratings APPs for our agents and Apps for our Annual Conventions. He provides us tools to geocode our homeowner policy addresses and view them together on a map. In addition to the innovative VOIP phone system Matrix sells and supports, they provide custom programming and consulting services. Mike and his team are the complete TECH Package!”

2018

Carla Lewis

Robert Lowery

C Spire

The Taylor Group

C

Spire CIO Carla Lewis, a longtime company executive, manages the firm’s sprawling information technology division.

She oversees all aspects of software development, including systems for sales and service, product delivery and billing – all with a laser-focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience. She also leads all aspects of the enterprise data center, database, network operations, support and quality assurance.

Lewis plays a central role in virtually every technology decision inside the company, especially since the lines between traditional IT and network have blurred in recent years with the advent of software-defined network solutions.

Under her leadership, the company has been named a top technology innovator and the top-ranked telecommunications provider in the U.S. by Information Week for three straight years.

As part of the company’s comprehensive technology movement initiative, Lewis is leading efforts to inspire and encourage students to pursue degrees and careers in information technology and computer science.

R

obert Lowery is director of information technology for the Taylor Group in Louisville, managing, controlling and evaluating computer systems and electronic data operations for 8 Taylor companies in 25 different locations.

And this is the only job Lowery has ever had, having worked for the Taylor Group for 39 years.

Lowery has earned his wings by coming up through the ranks of the IT group. From his programming days he wrote software to operate a mainframe big box computer system based on the unique demands of our business model. He wrote manufacturing shop floor programming coupled with the unique accounting and costing systems to monitor, schedule , record and report well before the ERP type systems of today were developed.

Robert oversaw, as the Assistant Manager of IT, all the Burroughs and IBM installations and operations through the server type interface with the current I-Series Mainframe, integrating legacy, laptop, smartphone and iPad technologies into one smooth data integration process.

Lowery has been married for 30 years and has three children.

Q

23

Top in Tech

24 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

Gary Matthews

Susan McDaniel

Tishomingo Development Foundation

St. Dominic’s

G

ary Matthews is the Executive Director of the Tishomingo County Development Foundation and has been with the Foundation since 2003. Matthews has four decades of experience in economic and community development. Matthews received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and has done further work at several other universities.

Matthews has received numerous awards including “National Dealmaker of the Year” in 2000 for putting together $470,000,000 in deals in one year.

Working in over a dozen counties and regions, Gary has been involved in the creation of over 14,000 new jobs over the last 40 years. Additionally, Gary has put together and administered approximately $334,000,000 in federal and state grants and over $600,000,000 in business and industry loans during the same time period. Gary has developed a number of industrial parks and industrial buildings, including two speculative industrial buildings that were committed before they were completed.

Matthews has three daughters and ten grandchildren. Matthews enjoys reading, rock and fossil hunting and he is a Master Gardener.

S

2018

usan McDaniel is the Director of Information Technology at St. Dominic’s – Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson. In her role at St. Dominic’s, she provides leadership to an incredible team that supports all IT application and infrastructure needs for the 535-bed acute care hospital and network of 28 clinics in central Mississippi. For the past seven years, St. Dominic’s has been named a “HealthCare’s Most Wired Hospital”, which recognizes healthcare organizations that demonstrate excellence in IT implementation and innovation.

With over 25 years of experience in Information Technology, McDaniel has worked in several industries including retail, manufacturing, financial, wireless/cellular, and warehousing/supply chain. Her past 16 years have been focused in healthcare. She holds a bachelors degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Business Administration, from the University of Southern Mississippi.

McDaniel is a past president of the Hartfield Academy Booster Club. With a passion for health and wellness, she also holds a nutrition certification and enjoys coaching busy, driven women in leading a full, healthy lifestyle. She and her husband, Jeff, have two lea grown sons, Taylor and Jacob. o

J.P. McInnis

Barbara Miller

Copiah-Lincoln Community College

C Spire

J.

P. McInnis is the director of technology for Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

JP and his staff of four handle all of the technology for all three Co-Lin campuses. He is on top of the latest technology and is always available when there is a problem. He is responsible for hundreds of the computers on all three campuses as well as security cameras.

They are always friendly and willing to help our faculty, staff, and students.

B

arb Miller, senior vice president of Human Resources, is a seasoned professional whose responsibilities include recruiting and retaining C Spire’s 1,500-member plus work force.

She has worked tirelessly to infuse within the company culture a passion for technology and its importance to the firm’s future. From her T-shaped employee initiative, which encourages employees to become more technology savvy and self-reliant, to many other initiatives and leadership in helping transform and contemporize human relations operations, Miller is a champion of change and innovation.

She has been the architect and senior leader behind a multiphase effort introduce a new employee onboarding process, an employee wellness program, a complete overall of the training and HR websites, introduction of new communication mediums to encourage more employee engagement and involvement (C Spire Workplace via Facebook) and other major initiatives.

Miller lives out the company’s core mission statement to be and become known as an industry leader and a company that is committed to helping transform its primary service area (Mississippi) through technology adoption, integration and assimilation.

Top in Tech

June 29, 2018

Q

Mississippi Business Journal

Benjamin Moncrief

David J. Sliman

C Spire

USM

B

D

enjamin Moncrief plays a key role in the telecommunications industry, particularly for Mississippi communities. In his role a s VP – Government Relations with C Spire, Moncrief is integral to business strategy planning, directing all aspects of the company ’s interactions with state and federal policy-makers, consumer advocates, technology and telecommunications industry associations, and media regarding antitrust, regulatory, legislative, taxation, and government procurement process matters. Most recently, Moncrief spearheaded significant advocacy achievements including the successful execution of C Spire ’s legal and regulatory strategy opposing AT&T’s attempted takeover of T-Mobile US, Inc. Prior to his work with C Spire, Moncrief was General Counsel for U.S. Sen. George LeMieux of Florida, was Legal Counsel in the office of U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, and was in private legal practice in Birmingham. Moncrief successfully utilizes this expertise in his position on the Board of Directors of Competitive Carriers Association – the nation’s leading voice of competitive mobile broadband providers including C Spire, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

2018

avid Sliman is the Chief Information Officer at the University of Southern Mississippi and has been a member of the USM technical staff since 1997. His office consists of over 80 employees, plus student workers, and is responsible for the academic and administrative technical needs of approximately 15,000 students and 2,600 faculty and staff in multiple locations. He was integral in the rebuilding of the technical infrastructure of all the USM Gulf Coast teaching sites after hurricane Katrina and the modernization of the USM Technology and Data Center in Hattiesburg.

Prior to USM, Sliman was co-founder, president, and CEO of Southwind Technologies, a computer integration company and one of the first Internet service providers on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Sliman worked for several contractors at the NASA Stennis Space Center as a scientific programmer, database administrator, and network specialist for NASA, the Naval Oceanographic Office, and the Naval Research Laboratory. Sliman helped develop database and network disaster recovery strategies and business continuity plans.

The Ocean Springs native graduated from LSU with a degree in computer science and has a MBA from the USM. com

Chad Wallace

Nicholas Williams

Belhaven University

University of Southern Mississippi

C

had Wallace is the digital communications specialist for Belhaven University. Responsible for the overall digital marketing efforts for the university, he also assists with various technology, marketing and public relations initiatives that have helped spur Belhaven to record enrollments.

Since Wallace joined the staff, Belhaven has won multiple awards from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi.

Before going to Belhaven, the Brandon resident worked as a new media specialist for the Rankin County School District and as a web marketing/public relations specialist for Cellular South.

While with the Rankin County School District, Wallace directed Web 2.0 integration, launching one of the first school district blogs in the state.

A Mississippi State University graduate, Wallace was named to the Dean’s List and worked for the Office of Athletic Media Relations. And he a previous honoree of the Mississippi Business Journal Top 50 Under 40.

N

icholas Williams is the director of technology support services at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Williams has worked with USM’s iTech department for more than 5 years. Prior to joining iTech’s technology team, he worked in leadership roles with a number of other technology enterprises. Williams, a business and computer science major at Southern, has more than 15 years of experience in the technology field and holds certifications with Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft and CompTIA. Among his community duties, he is involved with a nonprofit organization that assists low-income and less fortunate families find funding for home repair and purchases.

Q

25

Top in Tech

26 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q June 29, 2018

Kevin Yearick

Jonathan Young

UMMC

Members Exchange

K

J

evin Yearick is Chief Technology Officer for UMMC in Jackson.

Yearick is responsible for 130-plus employees on the server, network, telecommunications, and technology services reporting to the CIO. He is responsible for $40 million-plus combined operating and capital budgets.

He sets strategic direction for UMMC technology initiatives and has changed the culture of bureaucratic department to one that runs “business at the speed of business”.

Yearick is a technology advocate throughout the organization for the effective application of technology to meet business needs and to support business changes and growth. He balances the pragmatism of operational tactics with the long term strategies required of a highly regulated environment. Yearick developed and managed a multi-year strategic plan for operations and technical infrastructure inclusive of system upgrades, enhancements, and implementation activities that address strategic initiatives, vendor product developments and support requirements.

onathan Young is the IT Project Manager for Members Exchange Credit Union. With his background in programming and networking, he uses this experience to keep Members Exchange on the cutting edge of technological advances in the financial industry.

As the IT Project Manager, Young assists with the planning and execution of large projects, as well as day-to-day operations; including but not limited to cybersecurity monitoring, improving online and mobile banking, and modernizing IT infrastructure.

Young has attended the SANS Institute for Cybersecurity to increase his knowledge of the threats associated with online security in the modern age. He conducts quarterly cybersecurity trainings to educate employees about the tactics used by today’s hackers. Young is currently working on a professional paper about Digital Footprints and Social Engineering to be published later this year on LinkedIn.

2018

PAST WINNERS CLASS OF 2017

ERIC ALAN HILL, Sportsnax

HUNTER ADKINS, Techsource Solutions

TONY JEFF, Innovate Mississippi

ALICIA BARNES, BC3 Technologies, LLC

HARPER MADDOX, EdgeTheory

GARY D. BUTLER, Camgian

WES MCGREW, HORNE Cyber

GEOFFREY E. CARTER, Hyperion Technology Services

BRAD MCMULLAN, bfac.com

RUSS DAVIS, SchoolStatus, LLC

HU MEENA, C Spire

LIZ DENSMORE, LEC Incorporated

CRAIG P. ORGERON, PH.D., Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services

MAYO FLYNT, AT&T Mississippi

W. WHITAKER RAYNER, Jones Walker

W. COY GAUTHIER, SCS, LLC

KATIE ROBERTS, Citizens National Bank

HANNAH BERRY GAY, MD, UMMC

TRENT TOWNSEND, Next Step Innovation

GERARD GIBERT, Venture Technologies

JAY VANLANDINGHAM, Bruce Telephone Company, Inc.

CHANDLER GRAY, Corinth School District

AARON VICK, Cicayda, LLC

TRAVIS Y. GREEN, PFG Precision Optics

GARY WATTS, fuse.cloud

ELI HARTNETT, Aerial Productions Photography, LLC

DR. LAKIESHA WILLIAMS, Bagley School of Engineering

CRAIG A. HARVEY, Nvision Solutions

JOEL YELVERTON, Yelverton Consulting

June 29, 2018

Q

Mississippi Business Journal

Q

27

THE SPIN CYCLE

Instagram hits 1 Billion users, launches IGTV

I

nstagram hit a major milestone last week – it’s 1 billionth user.

And it also rolled out a new long-form video platform that gives marketers another way to reach its vast audience called IGTV, according to ZDNet. The new platform for content creators, which will be available as a standalone app and within Instagram, makes the social media network a more direct competitor with other digital media giants like YouTube and traditional media.

It also gives Facebook, Instagram’s parent company, a new channel for advertisers – and Instagram already accounts for a growing portion of Facebook’s mobile ad revenue.

Calling IGTV its “most exciting feature to date,” Instagram explained that videos on the app are full screen and vertical, optimized for watching on a smartphone, ZDNet. Each video can be up to an hour long. Anyone can post their own videos to IGTV via the app or the web and create their own “channel.”

When users open the app, IGTV starts playing immediately. Users can follow different channels, and they swipe up to switch between the channels they follow as well as other suggestions. Users can also like, comment and share videos with friends directly.

IGTV will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks on Android and iOS. Urgent action called for influencer fraud At the annual Cannes Lions festival, Unilever CMO Keith Weed detailed a trio of new policies on behalf of Unilever – one of the world’s largest advertisers with an annual brand and marketing investment of over $7 billion.

First, the firm will not work with any influencers who buy followers; second, none of Unilever’s own brands will buy followers; and finally, Unilever will prioritize partners who “eradicate fraud and support increased visibility and transparency”.

At the festival, Weed joined with the likes of Instagram, Richard Edelman and the World Federation of Advertisers to

urge the industry to bring increased trust, transparency and integrity to influencer marketing.

The commitment comes a few months after Unilever pledged not to work with tech platforms that ‘incite hate, spread division or fail to protect children’ – highlighting the need to work with responsible platforms that create a positive impact on society.

“In February, I said we needed to rebuild trust back into our digital ecosystems and wider society,” Weed said at the festival.

“One of the ways we can do that is to increase integrity and transparency in the influencer space. We need to address this through responsible content, responsible platforms and responsible infrastructure.

“At Unilever, we believe influencers are an important way to reach consumers and grow our brands,” Weed said. “Their power comes from a deep, authentic and direct connection with people, but certain practices like buying followers can easily undermine these relationships.

“We are announcing clear commitments to support and maintain the authenticity and trust of influencer marketing.

“The key to improving the situation is three-fold: cleaning up the influencer ecosystem by removing misleading engagement; making brands and influencers more aware of the use of dishonest practices; and improving transparency from social platforms to help brands measure impact.

“Fake” influencers, or those that inflate their following and engagement rates for commercial gain, are a problem that the PR industry – including the PRCA – has been taking much more notice of in the past 12 months or so.

Silent Mic | Charles Krauthammer perhaps the most iInfluential journalist of our time This recovering journalist will forever remember Charles Krauthammer, one of the most influential journalists of our time, who lost an epic battle with aggressive cancer, as one of the greatest.

The longtime Fox News contributor, Washington Post writer, Pulitzer Prize winner, Harvard-trained psychiatrist and best-selling author who came to be known as the dean of conservative commentators was 68.

His death had been expected following a devastating letter to colleagues, friends and viewers on June 8 that said, “I have been uncharacteristically silent these past ten months. I had thought that silence would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I must tell you now that fate has decided on a different course for me…

“Recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means

it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.” The letter continued, “I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life -- full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living.”

Krauthammer was perhaps best known for his nightly appearance as a panelist on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” and as a commentator on various Fox news shows, political specials and election coverage.

Following the news of the death of his “good friend,” Baier took to Twitter, “I am sure you will be owning the panel discussion in heaven as well. And we’ll make sure your wise words and thoughts - your legacy - will live on here.”

He won the Edwin Dunlop Prize for excellence in psychiatric research and clinical medicine. Journalism honors included the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his Washington Post columns in 1987 and the National Magazine Award for his work at The New Republic in 1984. His book, “Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics,” instantly became a New York Times bestseller, remaining in the number one slot for 10 weeks, and on the coveted list for nearly 40.

Krauthammer delivered his views in a mild, steady, philosophical style that won the audience just about every time!

Calling on his background, Krauthammer said after the fall of the Berlin Wall, that the post-Cold War world had gone from bipolar to “unipolar,” with the United States as the sole superpower. He also coined the term “The Reagan Doctrine,” according to news reports.

He always stood up to those in power and political pundits on both sides of the aisle.

Krauthammer spent most of his life confined to a wheelchair, the result of a decision to go for a quick swim at age 22 as a student at Harvard, where hit the bottom of the pool with his Todd Smith head, severing his spinal cord.

Krauthammer eventually finished medical school, where he began in-depth medical writing.

He soon realized his heart was not in health care, and after going to Washington D.C. and making some connections, he ended up as a speechwriter for Democrat Walter Mondale. The rest is history, and he became a fixture in the Fourth Branch, and a media luminary!

Krauthammer was also passionate about baseball, and was a fixture at Washington Nationals games, his beloved MLB team.

Somewhere beyond the Pearly Gates, there’s a new newsman in town, and he’s keeping the angels flying with the stories of the day.

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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