MBJ_Sept01_2017 by Journal Inc

INSIDE — JACK WEATHERLY: Monuments to unﬂagging passions — Page 2 TOURISM/REAL ESTATE

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September 1, 2017 • Vo. 39. No. 35 • 20 pages

SPECIAL REAL ESTATE REPORT

Plans for Fondren hotel announced — Page 4

MBJ DOUBLE FOCUS

» Growth leads to change on Ridgeland’s Jackson Street CONSTRUCTION {Section begins P7}

» Bringing Biloxi Back » Fairpark development adding tenants

Page 10

REAL ESTATE {Section begins P10}

» Surviving the seasons of real estate

{The List P13}

» Largest Commercial Developers

http://msbusiness.com/ceo-awards-of-mississippi/

2 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q September 1, 2017 REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

TOURISM

Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon Monuments gearing up for second annual race to unﬂagging passions

By ALEXIS WILLIAMS mbj@msbusiness.com

With just over three months to go before the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, organizers, endurance runners and firsttime racers are all preparing for the second annual event, which will be held the weekend of Dec. 8-10. Race director Jonathan “Juba” Dziuba and his team felt the Gulf of Mexico and beach-lined stretch of Highway 90 from Pass Christian to Biloxi “screamed for a marathon.” His team worked with municipalities along the Coast, Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast and other organizations to make the sun-soaked, beachview marathon a reality. Dziuba “The uniqueness of the Coast and the fact that there are very few buildings between the road and the water made us really want to host a point-to-point race the length of it,” said Dziuba. In last year’s inaugural race, over 3,300 runners registered to run in one or more distances from 5K to full marathon. Currently, registration is showing a trend toward growth with Dziuba and his team hoping to reach 5,000 runners for the weekend and then working to double that number to 10,000 participants in the future. After the successful weekend event in 2016, Dziuba and his staff began preparing for this year’s event just after they wrapped up their other race weekend, the Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge. Both racing events are official qualifiers for the Boston Marathon. “We have had tremendous support from so many along the Gulf Coast,” adds Dziuba. “Every city council and police district from Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, Biloxi and Ocean Springs have played a role and shown genuine excitement for having an event like this down here. The casinos were instrumental in helping us get off the ground in the first year.” Dziuba, who began volunteering for racing events in 2009 and working full time in race production in 2013, believes the course for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon is what makes it so unique and helps draw a crowd to race in early December, when temperatures are cooler and almost perfect for distance running. “Every memorable race or event has a story or an experience that producers

Special to the MBJ

More restaurants and “hang-outs” will be offered at the Coors Light Finish Fest at MGM Park in Biloxi.

hope the participants get to share in,” said Dziuba. “The course for this race is really the highlight. When you couple that with a very laid back and welcoming culture along the Gulf Coast, you get the story we are trying to convey. We want everyone to experience ‘soaking up the run’ while they are here with us for the weekend.” The weekend’s events offer something for everyone and every age. Children can even participate in the event by registering for the Kids Marathon, which is geared for the entire family and held on Saturday along with the 5K race. Both events start at Biloxi’s Point Cadet. Organizers hope to expand the Kids Marathon participation in 2017. Sunday’s half-marathon and full marathon racing begins at 7 a.m. For full marathon runners, the beautiful course begins at Henderson Point in Pass Christian and half-marathon runners start their journey at Gulfport’s Jones Park. Dziuba has many favorite memories from 2016’s inaugural race. “Some of the things I enjoy the most are things that our runners never see like the OPS crew sharing a laugh as we walk out of the hotel lob-

by at 3 a.m.,” he said. “I always love watching people jump out of their skin when the start cannon goes off and of course all the smiles and hugs we get to watch at the finish line.” Runners and groups are now training for this year’s race. “It’s time to start!” advises Dziuba. “Endurance running is not an exclusive club. It just takes time and dedication to make gradual gains over a long period of time. Start slow, increase distance...” The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon website offers training tips and plans as well as race schedules and registration information. Enhancements are being made to the Coors Light Finish Fest which is held post-race at MGM Park in Biloxi. “They layout will be a little different to accommodate more restaurants and hang out areas,” adds Dziuba. Runners and the public are welcome to sample Gulf Coast seafood and barbecue as well as cold beer and live music. Dziuba and staff will perform an official economic impact study of the race after its conclusion, but he says the numbers on the Coast were similar to their first Louisiana Marathon. That first year, it brought in $3 million to the Baton Rouge area. Now, in its sixth year, the Louisiana Marathon brings in almost $6 million, a statistic he hopes will hold true on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

organ Freeman turned the tables on me while I was interviewing him about 25 years ago. “What should we do about the flag?” Freeman asked me. Flag? What do you mean? I said. Oh, right. The state flag with the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy on the upper left corner. I didn’t have a considered answer because I had only been back in Mississippi for a couple of years and had my hands Jack Weatherly full as editor of The Star-Herald in Kosciusko on local matters. Days after the interview, part of our coverage of Mississippi’s resident megastar’s show, “An Evening With Morgan Freeman” – who happens to be black, in case you’ve never seen a movie – to raise money for the cultural center in the town, I wondered: what about the statues? Changing the flag is one thing, but what’s next – bulldozers and cranes? That’s a show stopper, I reckoned. Wrong. That hasn’t happened in Mississippi, but statues of Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and P.G.T. Beauregard and President Jefferson Davis were removed from their places of prominence in New Orleans in May. CSA statues in other states have been removed. That was before the clash in Charlottesville, Va., in early August between marchers – white supremacists and presumably Southern traditionalists, who were marching to protest the city’s plan to remove Confederate statues – and masked anarchist thugs who wouldn’t hear of it. One person was killed in the clash. The anarchists like to call themselves antifa, short for anti-fascists, though it could stand for anti-First Amendment, the constitutional provision that grants all Americans the right to free speech, however offensive it may be to some. President Donald Trump, as he is wont to do, threw charcoal lighter fluid on the See MONUMENTS, Page 3

Understandably, there’s not one Confederate buried in the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Seventeen thousand Union soldiers are interred there, including some “Colored Troops.” There are 1,400 monuments and memorials there, all for the U.S. fallen, including one for the African-American unionists. Had Lincoln outlived the war by more than a week, things assuredly would have been different, symbolically and literally, for the vanquished and those set free. “Let ‘em up easy. Let ‘em up easy,” Lin-

September 1, 2017

coln advised one of his generals in speaking of the Confederates as the end of the fouryear conﬂict drew near. But no, thanks to John Wilkes Booth, the actor-assassin. And the harsher Reconstruction and backlash against it allowed the wounds of war to fester far too long, and to this day give some a cover for their racism. So now, some see a simultaneous Uncivil War and Second Reconstruction, or, rather, Deconstruction, in the making. How silly and sad. Others work to preserve reminders of the great fratricidal conﬂict. The Civil War

Mississippi Business Journal

» Contact Mississippi Business Journal staff writer Jack Weatherly at jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1016.

Confederate statue on Attala County Courthouse lawn.

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Net Advertising Rates Continued from, Page 2

Charlottesville ﬂareup, tried to tamp it down and burned his ﬁngers. So much for national politics. But on Aug. 21, a resident approached the Attala County Board of Supervisors and asked its members to remove from the courthouse lawn the granite likeness of an unnamed Confederate infantryman standing atop a tall pedestal. The board said before a standing-room-only crowd it would consider the suggestion and take it up later. Never mind that a state law prohibits the relocation, removal or alteration of statues and monuments dedicated to the “Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, War Between the States, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, War in Iraq or Native American Wars statues, monuments, memorials or nameplates (plaques), which have been erected on public property of the state or any of its political subdivisions, such as local, municipal or county owned public areas.” In case anyone thought there would be a simple solution. The Star-Herald posted the story online for all to read, even those who are not subscribers to the Kosciusko weekly, just to vent the collective spleen that was transfused with blood from the veins of their forebears. The Confederate statues were what the devastated region chose as a consolation for the 260,000 who died to defend states asserting freedom to establish themselves as an independent nation, and to maintain slavery, the reverse of freedom.

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Trust has saved more than 46,000 acres of battlefields in 23 states from slipping into oblivion, including about 3,000 in Mississippi, where, to borrow from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, so many on both sides gave “the last full measure of devotion.” It’s almost enough to make us Mississippians forget we have this flag that flutters and waves at us to get our attention.

Congratulations on being named to the Mississippi Business Journal’s 2017 Mississippi’s Healthiest Workplaces

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4 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q September 1, 2017 TOURISM/REAL ESTATE

Plans for Fondren hotel announced By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

The Heritage Hospitality Group announced plans on Wednesday to build a 125-guestroom Hilton Homewood Suites Hotel in Fondren. The hotel will be built with the medical corridor in mind. Otherwise, it is geared toward multi-day business travelers and others, according to group Chief Executive Chico Patel. The project will add “another piece to the Fondren business and economic renaissance,” Patel said in a release. Residential and commercial properties on the two-acre site on State Street between Fondren Place and Lorenz Avenue that are at the end of their useful life will be demolished, Patel said. Construction should begin in the next 30 days and take about 14 months, with an early 2019 opening expected.

In addition to 125 suite-style rooms, an outdoor courtyard, an indoor pool, the urban-modern style of architecture and furnishings are designed to be in harmony with other neighborhood developments. Rooms overlooking State Street will have balconies. There will be about 4,000 square feet of retail space. It will also support stays at nearby medical facilities, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, St. Dominic’s, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center and Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. Financing for the project will be provided by BancorpSouth. Construction should take approximately 14 months, and the central Mississippi-based developers are targeting an early 2019 opening. /#!( +ũ3.ũ3'#ũMBJ

The 125-guestroom hotel will be built on State Street and is expected to open in early 2019.

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MBJPERSPECTIVE September 1, 2017 • www.msbusiness.com • Page 5

OTHER VIEWS

#JUSTSAYIN’ by Ford Williams

Department of Education can’t be trusted

Website: www.msbusiness.com September 1, 2017 Volume 39, Number 35

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» INSIDE MISSISSIPPI

Does generals’ ‘coup’ put war-bringers in charge?

even Days in May, written by Fletcher Kneble and Charles Bailey and published in 1962, portrays a tense, nearly successful coup of American government by a cadre of senior generals. A quote on the cover of the paperback attributed to the Army Times said, “They say it can’t happen here, but if it does, it probably will be pretty much as Knebel and Bailey say.” Wrong. Over 18 days in August three senior generals accomplished a “coup” peacefully, co-opting a volatile President and inexperienced Secretary of State. On July 31, retired Marine four-star General John Kelly moved in as President Trump’s Chief of Staff. Over the first 18 days in August, he began consolidating his power, culminating in the ouster of the president’s closest adviser Steve Bannon. Kelly’s rise gives him and two other generals extraordinary power in the Trump administration. Retired Marine four-star General Jim Mattis serves as Secretary of Defense. Active-duty three-star Army General H.R. McMaster serves as National Security Advisor. With Bannon’s ouster and no-one appointed to replace Kelly as Secretary of Homeland Security, these

Bill Crawford

three now dominate military and national security policy decisions. Business Insider discounts Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, saying there is “concern among some diplomats that he is not a major player in Trump’s national security team.” “Connected by their faith in order and global norms, these military leaders are rapidly consolidating power throughout the executive branch as they counsel a volatile president,” said a Washington Post article. In the novel, generals attempted a military coup to replace a president they saw as weak and misguided. Ironically, one of their concerns was their president’s willingness to trust Russia. Many experienced foreign policy experts see our current president as weak and misguided, and he wants to work with Russia. The influence of the generals became clear last week when President Trump announced not only will the United States maintain its military presence in Afghanistan indefinitely but will send more troops and expand their role. Prior to that, Trump and Bannon were singing from the same song book – how many years must a See CRAWFORD, Page 6

learly, the Mississippi Department of Education can't be trusted to rate how its own schools are doing. There's just too much incentive to inﬂate the academic performance to make officials look good. That's evident in the latest problem related to testing. Last year, the state graded schools and school districts on a curve based on how many points they scored on a formula based mainly on test scores and growth in test scores: 10 percent made As 26 percent made Bs 26 percent made Cs 25 percent made Ds 13 percent made Fs When MDE applied the same curve this year, the result was fewer A schools. So last week, it convinced its oversight board to change the curve, but with a caveat. If a school or district does worse under the new curve than the old curve, it will be assigned whichever grade is higher — supposedly for this one year only. We'll see. Although MDE officials provide a statistical explanation of why a new curve is necessary, the discussion misses the whole point. There shouldn't be a curve at all because it prevents parents and taxpayers from knowing which districts are truly failing or excelling. There needs to be an objective standard. With Mississippi repeatedly ranking last in the nation in education, it's clear that many public school districts are failing their students. Certainly there are many factors as to why that's happening, including inadequate funding, poor and troubled family backgrounds, and a culture that often values practical trade skills more than book learning. The state should own up to that rather than hide it. Yet state Superintendent Carey Wright has proven adept at manipulating the numbers to make things appear rosier than they are. For example, she has repeatedly touted improved graduation rates statewide while leaving out a pertinent fact: The state dropped the objective requirement that students pass certain subject-area tests to graduate. So in truth Mississippi lowered the graduation standard, with the predictable result of more students graduating. That's hardly real improvement. What can be done? The Legislature needs to step in and set an objective standard for school ratings rather than letting the education people do it. The current grading setup shows the wisdom in that approach. For years, MDE used obscure systems — remember "Level III" schools and such? — that no one knew what they meant. The Legislature did the people of this state a great favor by switching to a simple A-to-F system. Now legislators need to step in to ensure the integrity of that system they established. — The Greenwood Commonwealth

PERSPECTIVE

6 I Mississippi Business Journal I September 1, 2017

CRAWFORD

» RICKY NOBILE

Continued from Page 5

failed war go on before it is allowed to end? Until last week, Trump had called leaders “stupid” who wanted continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Now, Vice President Pence is justifying expanded military operations and proclaiming opportunities for a “stable” and “prosperous” Afghanistan, talk reminiscent of another failed war, Vietnam. A Reuters commentary said, “Bannon’s departure may have made Trump more likely to listen to his generals and dive more deeply into the Afghanistan mess.” Indeed, Bannon lost out and the generals took control, unlike Seven Days in May where patriots thwarted the generals’ coup. Trump’s bellicose approach to North Korea, statements about intervening in Venezuela, hints he may pull out of the Iran nuclear accord, and, now, his flip-flop on Afghanistan feed concerns that the generals will push military force ahead of diplomacy. Still and all, it’s too soon to say this “coup” puts warbringers in charge. Wise and cautious generals can be effective peacemakers. Pray for peace. Bill Crawford (crawfolk@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist

»FROM THE GROUND UP

Pressure rises on pension fund to seek more money

n outside adviser is telling Mississippi’s public pension system that it should change its accounting policies in a way that would sharply increase required contributions to keep the system solvent over the long run, adding to financial pressure on the Public Employees Retirement System. GRS Retirement Consulting made the recommendations last week, as part of its audit of the system’s regular actuaries. The consultants advised the PERS board that the pension system’s assumptions about how much inflation would rise in the future were too high, advising the board to lower them. Doing so would in turn alter how much money PERS expects to earn on its investments in the future, meaning the $27 billion in assets that PERS has on hand today would be expected to grow less, increasing estimates of a future shortfall. That in turn, would force the board to demand more money from state government and other agencies that fund the system, and could set off a debate about whether lawmakers and others should consider different options. The system assumes that inflation will run at 3 percent each year, and that it will earn 4.75 percent above that on its investments, for a total return of 7.75 percent. GRS, though, says that inflation assumption is too high, and says the board should consider planning around a rate of 2 percent to 2.5 percent. GRS ran some projections of what the system’s longterm projections would look like if the system assumed a 2.5 percent inflation rate and a 4.25 percent return on investments, for a total return of 6.75 percent. Under that scenario, the main pension fund would only have enough money to pay for 54 percent of current and future benefits. To make up for that shortfall, employers would have to begin contributing 23.2 percent of payroll a year, up from the current 15.75 percent. It would cost employers about $450 million a year if the contribution rate were to rise that much. Not all of that money would come directly from state government, be-

cause only about 20 percent of the employees covered by the system work for directly controlled state agencies. The Legislature, though, would face pressure to cover contributions for the 40 percent of beneficiaries who work for public schools and the 15 percent who work for universities and community colleges. Remaining employees work for cities, counties and other government units. They’d almost certainly get no help from the state to pay for an increase. Even only paying increased contributions by state agencies might be too much for lawmakers, considering stagnant state revenue trends.

GRS urged the system’s board to make changes quickly, but outgoing Executive Director Pat Robertson says the board needs to consult its regular actuaries. Changes need to be made “in a delib-

Jeff Amy

The recommendation comes at a time when the pension fund is already facing the possibility of mandating higher contributions. Projections presented last year showed that, even with the current assumptions, PERS would only be 63 percent funded in 2042. erative fashion and not in a reactionary fashion,” Robertson said. “We are not in the funded status we need to be, I’ve said that before, but we have $27 billion on hand to help us get there.” The recommendation comes at a time when the pension fund is already facing the possibility of mandating higher contributions. Projections presented last year showed that, even with the current assumptions, PERS would only be 63 percent funded in 2042. The current funding policy calls for being 80 percent funded by that year, and for mandating higher contributions if that projected level falls below 80 percent for two years in a row. The updated projections will be presented later this year, and the system will be aided by a 15 percent gain in the year ended June 30. But Robertson said the measure will still be close. » Jeff Amy has covered politics and government for The Associated Press in Mississippi since 2011. Follow him at: http://twitter.com/jeffamy . Read his work at https://www.apnews.com/search/Jeff_Amy .

September 1, 2017 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com

AN MBJ FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION

Bringing Biloxi Back

Courtesy of City of Biloxi

THE MOVE to make Biloxi’s Howard Street two-way (above) is one of many changes on the downtown Biloxi Street. Older images show road work at Reynoir at Howard about 1930 (left); and later, facing east at what today is the one-way entrancce to Vieux Marche (right); a a night photo of Howard Street about 1967 (upper right).

» City leaders hope their proposed 5-year plan will revitalize downtown area By JULIA MILLER mbj@msbusiness.com

OR MORE than 50 years, downtown Biloxi has been facing a decline. Led by Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, the city has partnered with the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District to

reverse that path with the hope that a revitalization of downtown will lead to economic growth for the area. “The goals, incentives, tasks and projects recommended in this plan will improve the quality of life for both Biloxi’s citizens and visitors throughout the city because implementation of the plan will dramatically increase the city’s tax base in order to better fund public infrastructure, education and amenities throughout the entire city,” said the SMPDD’s public hearing proposal to the Biloxi City Council in July. The ﬁve-year plan is currently in the ﬁnal review phase. The goal of the plan is to present the city with a series of small projects that lead

to the ﬁnal vision of a restored downtown. Over the past 20 years, the city has been focused on the waterfront districts, such as MGM park, but SMPDD Senior Project Manager Lindsey Ward said the turn toward downtown has been much needed. “I believe it’s beyond time for the City of Biloxi to take this on,” she said. “We’re taking downtown back and will restore it to its beauty.” The ﬁrst stages will focus on the Saenger renovation and a conversion of Howard Avenue to two-way vehicular traffic. An architect has been See BILOXI, Page 9

Construction

8 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q September 1, 2017

Fairpark development adding tenants FAIRPARK OFFICE BUILDING

EAST TROY STREET

Proposed Building #1

Plaza/Parking VSDFHV

Proposed Building #2

Courtesy of Century Construction

and West Point. Century plans to remain in the current office space off Robert E Lee Drive and add additional office space

trustmark.com

FAIRPARK DRIVE

TUPELO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The ďŹ rst two tenants have committed to a new Fairpark District development. Ross & Yerger is relocating its downtown Tupelo office on South Broadway to what will be called Fairpark Towers. Joining the Jackson-based insurance companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office will be Century Construction and Realty Inc. Officials recently announced a public-private partnership between the city and Maloney Development Properties to spur additional commercial activity and entice new jobs into the downtown Fairpark District. A key piece of that development would be a new office and retail space. Initial plans call for two buildings. Ross & Yerger will occupy the second ďŹ&#x201A;oor of the four-story office building, while Century Construction will occupy a portion of the third ďŹ&#x201A;oor. Maloney Development Properties is the parent company of Century Construction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are thrilled to be involved with the most positive and exciting area of development in the city of Tupelo,â&#x20AC;? said Dudley Wooley, CEO and COO of Ross & Yerger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ross & Yerger has been a staple of downtown Tupelo for over 40 years, and we look forward to our continued growth in Fairpark Towers. We are proud to be a part of not only the betterment of the Fairpark District, but Tupelo as a city.â&#x20AC;? Century Construction and Realty Inc., which was founded 20 years ago by Colin Maloney, also has locations in Ridgeland

Location: The new four-story building will be constructed at the corner of East Troy Street and Fairpark Drive. This location is one half block east of the Tupelo City Hall, and one block south of East Main Street in the Fairpark District of Downtown Tupelo. Building Description: This building will be the newest and only â&#x20AC;&#x153;Class Aâ&#x20AC;? full-service office building in Tupelo. It will have four stories totaling approximately 40,000 rentable square feet. Each ďŹ&#x201A;oor will have approximately 10,000 rentable square feet except the ďŹ rst and second ďŹ&#x201A;oor which will have a two-story tall atrium. The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s construction will be a combination of brick, precast concrete and glass. The building is being designed with energy efficient systems, and access-controlled entry. The anticipated occupancy date is March 2018. Other Building Features: Fairpark address; Shared public parking of over 230 spaces within one block; Beautiful landscaping; Ornamental lightings; Paver parking in adjacent Plaza; Two glass elevators and two stairwells with controlled access; Large male and female restrooms on each ďŹ&#x201A;oor; Walking distance to Bancorp South Arena, Hilton Hotel and to numerous restaurants; Generous tenant improvement allowance. Landlord/Ownership: Maloney Development Properties, LLC is the Landlord, located in Tupelo. The pirncipal member owner and manager is Colin Maloney. Century Construction is the designated General Contractor. Century Construction and Realty, Inc. was founded in 1997 by Colin Maloney and employs almost 200 people in Tupelo, Jackson, and West Point.

MONAGHAN STREET

By DENNIS SEID Daily Journal dennis.seid@journalinc.com

Member FDIC

for its employees in Fairpark Towers. Century employs about 200 people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am proud to be working alongside

the city of Tupelo to help bring to life the vision of a new and better Downtown for the citizens of Tupelo,â&#x20AC;? Maloney said. Fairpark Towers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one of two planned multi-story office and retail buildings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will be built at the corner of East Troy Street and Fairpark Drive and will have four stories totaling about 40,000 square feet. The building is being designed with energy efficient systems, and access-controlled entry. The city of Tupelo agreed to sell certain property within the Fairpark District to Maloney Properties and will construct at public expense infrastructure improvements to the area. These improvements, estimated to cost about $1.3 million, will include water and sewer lines as well as an extended road network within the development area. The company has agreed to invest a total of $12 million into the project in exchange for the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public infrastructure improvements. At least half of that private investment must be completed by next June. Maloney estimates that its private development could yield as many as 100 new jobs as well as new annual retail sales of approximately $5 million.

Construction BILOXI Continued from Page 7

hired for the Saenger renovation, and plans are currently under way to begin work on the exterior of the ‘20s-era theater. “The Saenger is where I want to start the restoration and revitalization of downtown,” Gilich said. “A good part of what people remember is the Saenger and Howard Avenue. You just can’t let it go.” The construction on Howard Avenue is part of a reversal of the Urban Renewal project of the ‘70s that limited the roadway to pedestrian traffic and renamed it Vieux Marche. In the ‘90s, the city opened the roadway up to one-way traffic. A nationwide study by the Downtown Fresno Partnership found that public streets converted to open-air pedestrian malls in the United States have an 89 percent failure rate. The majority of these have already been converted back to two-way vehicular traffic or otherwise repurposed. The project will extend from the intersection at Reynoir Street to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It will also include the addition of either a four-way intersection or a roundabout. Approximately 114 parking spaces will be provided through a mixture of angled and parallel stalls. The preliminary estimate is between $1 million and $1.5 million and is expected to take less than six months to complete. Other focuses include implementing

Mississippi Business Journal

HOWARD STREET PROPOSAL

Courtesy of Pickering Firm

grant/loan programs to promote businesses opening in the downtown area, enhancing the Biloxi Farmers Market and encouraging multi-use buildings. One building in particular that the city would like to see as a home for both commercial and residential purposes is the Barq Building. “Any major community has people living downtown,” she said. “This restoration brings that back.” Ward said options for the funding of the grant/loan programs are still be explored. They are looking at a combination of regional, state and federal opportunities. The city is currently talking to other

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cities who have succeeded at downtown revitalization. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here,” she said. “We’re just trying to maximize the opportunity for the City of Biloxi. Originally, the city was looking at declaring the downtown area a tourism district, which would then allow the city to pursue a sales tax rebate through the Mississippi Development Authority. That plan is now being re-evaluated. “We decided if we do it, we should do it city wide,” Ward said. The plan also calls for a downtown furnishings plan. This will allow the city

to have a uniﬁed outdoor design that encompasses everything from seating to lights and plants. “It keeps a speciﬁc look for an area,” she said. “It helps create that cohesive feel and element of a downtown.” Going into any project like this, Ward said there’s always a nervous anticipation about what the public’s reception will be. Since the plan has been revealed, she said the supported has been phenomenal. “People want to see downtown of Biloxi restored. They want to walk in their downtown. We’re fortunate that Mayor Gilich and his vision has brought us this far.”

AN MBJ FOCUS: REAL ESTATE

Growth leads to change on Jackson Street » Mayor hopes Ridgeland road will become more pedestrian-friendly By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

ACKSON STREET in Ridgeland has been seeing a surge in new commercial real estate activity, and more new projects are under way adding to the mix. “We’re beginning to see some very positive things happening,” said Ridgeland Mayor Gene F. McGee. “I think a lot has to do with the fact that the economy has improved, but they are also realizing the new road we’re building on Colony Park Blvd. will take traffic off Jackson Street. Right now, there is a lot of through traffic.” South of Jackson Street. the city is adding the Lake Harbor extension, which also will facilitate the movement of through traffic. McGee said the work being done is the culmination of years of planning to make the Jackson Street area more pedestrian friendly similar to places like Fairhope, Ala. “We want to make it feel more like a downtown,” McGee said. “We would like to see some nice things happen to the area that make it more aesthetically pleasing like brick pavers across the street, and special landscaping and lighting. We have already built a city parking lot on Jackson St. to give businesses there more options for their customers to park.” McGee said developers are seeing the city is really interested in boosting that area, and the resulting growth is creating some

tremendous synergy. One new development is at the corner of Jackson St. and U.S. Highway 51. The multiuse building being developed by Steven H. Horn and Christi Horn, Horn Commercial Group. The project planned to open in early 2018 includes retail downstairs and live\ work units upstairs. “It is going to be a gorgeous site,” Christi Horn said. “It has two phases. Phase one is 10,000 square feet. We already have a viable store that is going to be located on the corner of phase one. We have two other tenants looking who can’t McGee be announced yet. Upstairs will have eight live\work units. They will have access through a separate locked gate in the back where residents will have covered parking. “There has been a lot of interest especially since we’re going for ‘the loft style look,’ a New York feel. The live\work units will have tall ceilings, raw bricks, rough wood beams and an open feel. Each unit will average about 1,150 square feet in size, and will have two bedrooms and two baths with a balcony. We have already pre-sold ﬁve of the live\ work units.” There will be sidewalks along both phases so residents can walk to stores and restaurants. Horn said for the exterior, they are going for cool colors, off white rough bricks with iron and copper to accessorize. The building is being called Porter 51 because access will be on Porter making it easier to get in and out. “The east end of Porter Street has traffic lights, which is good,” she said. “West Jackson St. is just hard to get out on. We love

this location. It is the best corner to get high traffic.” Approval also has been given for three new office buildings to which will adjoin similar buildings built a couple of years ago. The offices at 206, 208 and 210 W. Jackson St. will each be two stories and about 3,500 square feet. Drew Creel, owner of Krilakis, a Greek restaurant across the street at 207 W. Jackson St., said he has seen business increase each of the six years the restaurant has been open on Jackson Street. “Our business since we moved in this area has been on a steady incline,” Creel said. “When new businesses come around, it just adds to the local traffic. It helps all of us along this line.” Creel said there have been several new buildings constructed across the street from him over the past year, and those have brought in new businesses.

“Since we opened here, ther some times when not everythi Creel said. “But that has certai over the past year. I don’t thin thing empty on this street righ are being leased. With buildin construction, most have been “The whole idea is to just ﬁ whole area,” Creel said. “It see getting there little by little. Th seen the biggest increase. The is booming. Our building had empty spots for a little while, b capacity. “There is no doubt the incre on this street has been great th We have the new Methodist R and a new dentist office. Thin great on our street. When new come in, people ﬁnd out abou helps out a lot.”

re have been ing was full,” inly changed nk there is anyht now. Spaces ngs under preleased. ﬁll up this ems to be he past year has whole street two or three but now it is at

ease in traffic his past year. Rehab Center ngs are looking w businesses ut us and that

September 1, 2017 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com

Frank Brown/ M BJ

Above: Traffic rolls down Jackson Street and the site of more office buildings that will connect with existing buildings.

Drawings: Project 51 on the corner of Jackson Street and U.S. 51 hopes to open next Spring. Drawings show the Jackson Street view (left) and the U.S. 51 view (below). Courtesy of Horn Commercial Group

Real Estate

12 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q September 1, 2017

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The portrait created by reality television of real estate agents is one of multi-million dollar sales, lavish dinners, Coach handbags and Brunello Cucinelli suits. Truth is stranger than ďŹ ction in the world of real estate. Sure, a Realtor can set his or her own hours and carve out time for a vacation or doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment. But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also prospecting and lead generation, keeping up with the local and national marketing trends, real estate courses, and the paperwork. O, the paperwork. And then there is the off-season. Unlike professional athletes, real estate agents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have guaranteed contracts, no matter how successful they might be. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The thing about the real estate business is that you get out of it what you put into it,â&#x20AC;? said David Griffith, a Cleveland broker and appraiser and current president of Mississippi Realtors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If someone is transitioning from a regular paycheck to a commission business like real estate, the key is budgeting.â&#x20AC;? For Ridgeland Realtor and broker Carole Cantrelle, success in real estate boils down to marketing your business 365 days a year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When things are slow, you have to promote, promote and promote some more,â&#x20AC;? said Carole Cantrelle, owner of Cantrelle Realty LLC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to focus year round to increase and maintain your visibility in the marketplace. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been fortunate

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that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never had to suffer during the down times. When things slow down, you market differently.â&#x20AC;? Cantrelle, who moonlights as a professional singer, says she markets her business everywhere â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at Cantrelle singing gigs, in the grocery store or on the street. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve sold houses on breaks of a singing engagement, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotten singing gigs selling houses,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about attitude, selling yourself and what you can offer to the client.â&#x20AC;? Continuing education is another avenue Realtors use to make the most of their â&#x20AC;&#x153;downâ&#x20AC;? time. Required refresher courses in contract law, ďŹ nance, fair housing, ethics and a variety of electives like internet marketing keep them busy during slow periods. Debbie Easom Thomas, who has been with David Stevens Century 21 in Clinton since earning her license in 2001, says a Realtor can never have too much real estate knowledge. Thomas â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that many periods where things are slow,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I do, I use the time to market myself, brush up on areas that I would like more knowledge and stay in contact with current and former clients. If there is a slow time in this business, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s between the ďŹ rst of December and early February.â&#x20AC;? Being prepared for the so-called offseason months or a downturn in the economy is essential for all Realtors, aspiring or experienced. Most agents have devised their own personal strategy, Griffith said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some (Realtors) will take a percentage of every commission and put it in savings,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some will take the off-time to enjoy themselves while others will review the year, determine what worked, what didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, and what changes they can make for next year.â&#x20AC;? Thomas advises new agents that seek her counsel to execute a business plan and make a list of friends and family for referrals. And never, ever, stop marketing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be shy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you can never have enough referrals,â&#x20AC;? Thomas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to keep the pipeline going and keep it open all year, seven days a week. Also, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d recommend they save up six months of income before obtaining a license. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, most importantly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; keep doing what makes you successful.â&#x20AC;?

Real Estate

September 1, 2017

Mississippi Business Journal

LARGEST COMMERCIAL DEVELOPERS

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14 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q September 1, 2017

New Businesses CRUISE STREET MARKET: The Alliance recently held a ribbon-cutting for Cruise Street Market, 513 Cruise Street in downtown Corinth. Store Manager Jermaine Chappell cut the ribbon along with Preston Knight, co-owner. Mayor Tommy Irwin assisted, along with other city and county officials and family and friends.

Courtesy of The Alliance

Russ Houston / Courtesy of MSU

Courtesy of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership/Jackson Chamber of Commerce

FAIRE DE LA BELLE: The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership recently held a ribbon-cutting for Faire De La Belle, 1100 John R. Lynch Street in Jackson.

RILEY CAMPUS COURTYARD: A ribbon-cutting was recently held for the new Riley Campus Courtyard in downtown Meridian. From left are MSU Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck; President of The Riley Foundation Marty Davidson; Meridian Mayor Percy Bland; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner; MSU Vice President for Development and Alumni John Rush; and MSU-Meridian Administrative Director and Head of Campus Terry Dale Cruse.

KARE-IN-HOME: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for Kare-InHome Hospice, 497 Keywood Circle, Suite B, in Flowood.

Courtesy of The Chamber of Flowood

September 1, 2017

ENERGY

AGRIBUSINESS

Reﬁnery shutdowns put pressure on gasoline prices

Sanderson earnings more than double for 3rd quarter

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Nearly 20 percent of U.S. oil refining has been halted because of flooding on the Gulf Coast in the Houston metro area, according to company reports and Reuters estimates, putting pressure on the price of gasoline at the pump. The average price of regular in Mississippi rose to $2.16 on Wednesday, up six cents a gallon from a week earlier, according to AAA. The U.S. average for regular was $2.40. Mississippi’s gasoline is the fourth cheapest in the nation. It is not known how long refineries will be shut down by the widespread flooding across southeast Texas.

Chevron’s Pascagoula refinery, the company’s largest, is continuing to operate, as there is no flooding in Mississippi. Alan Sudduth, manager for policy, governmental and public affairs for the plant, said he could not divulge for proprietary reasons whether the refinery was taking up some of the refinery load. Mississippi-based trucking companies have been unable to operate in Houston area, as terminals are flooded, according to Hal Miller, president of the Mississippi Trucking Association. “About 10 percent of all U.S. trucking in the United States has been impacted,” either by shutdowns or rerouting, Miller said. That includes Mississippi-based truckers. Calls to them were not returned.

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Higher product prices and lower feed costs in a stable market enabled Sanderson Farms to record net income of $115.8 million, or $5.09 per share, for the third ﬁscal quarter, compared with $54.7 million, or $2.42 per share, a year earlier. Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman and chief executive said in its report that retail grocery prices, especially meat produced at plants “that process a larger bird were all higher this year” compared with the corresponding 2016 quarter. Prices for jumbo boneless breasts, leg quarters and wing prices were higher

Mississippi Business Journal

by 24.8 percent, 15.9 percent and 40.2 percent, respectively, according to the report. Food service demand remained below pre-recession levels, but the popularity of chains, including those that specialize in wings, “are offsetting reduced traffic at casual dining restaurants.” Meantime, the average feed cost per pound decreased 1.3 percent per pound, Sanderson said. Laurel-based Sanderson Farms, the nation’s third-largest poultry processor, continues to expand. The St. Pauls, N.C. processing plant is expected to reach full capacity in January. The company has 12 processing plants located around the South, seven in Mississippi. Construction of a $200 million processing plant, feed mill and hatchery in Tyler, Texas will start in September. At full capacity, the facilities will employ 1,700 and process 1.25 million birds per week.

SALES MOVES

What drives you into the sale? And drives you out with the order?

ot a company mission statement? “Yes, Jeffrey. We do.” Really? Can you recite two words of it? “Uh, no.” How come? Dude, it’s your MISSION. It’s what is supposed to drive you into the sale — and, create an atmosphere of success. It’s your mission. The reason you’re not following your company’s mission statement, is because you had nothing to do with its preparation. It’s some bull about being the number one company, global positioning to be the best, exceeding customer’s expectations, and building shareholder value. Barf. It’s a mission statement you’ve seen ﬁve hundred times — but you can’t recite one line of it. Pretty pathetic, huh? The reason you can’t relate to it — is that you don’t relate to it. And it has jack to do with making a sale. (“jack” if you’re not from Philadelphia, is half of a word ) So here’s my challenge — my sales challenge — to you, my sales friend: MAKE YOUR OWN MISSION STATEMENT. A sales mission statement. A sales mission statement is your affirmation, philosophy, and purpose rolled into one. It’s your personal challenge to yourself, and what you seek to do each time you try for a sale. It’s an opportunity to bring your goals into focus and transfer your ideals into the real world. It is your success plan. And you

have a built-in outcome: make the sale! Here are the ground rules, and the format to write your sales mission: • Say who and what you’re dedicated to. Are you dedicated to your profession, your customers, your success, your business? • Define yourself. What kind of a person are you, what do you do, what is your character? • Define your service to others. Where do you specialize, where is your expertise, who do you serve, how do you help them? • Affirm that you will strive to get better, do new things, and help others. What do you want your customers to achieve? What do you want to achieve? • Tell how it will get done. How will you employ your enthusiasm, your attitude, your best efforts? • State the outcome as though it has already taken place. Affirm what will happen, and how it will lead to other positive actions. Use your goals and visions to define your mission… • The examples you seek to set. • The ideals by which you live or seek to live by. • The goals you set out to accomplish at each sales opportunity. • The affirmations that you can use every day to make you a better person. Here are some words that will help you define your mission…will, dedication, persist,

honest, ethical, positive, enthusiastic, fun, learn new things, listen, help, provide, encourage, memorable, value, loyal. MAJOR CLUE: IT’S THE MISSION. YOUR SALES MISSION. Get the sale, and all the trimmings. It’s your purpose for walking in the prospective customer’s door. It’s your purpose while you’re in the sales presentation. And it’s your purpose when you’re walking out the door with the order. It should be your objective, and your philosophy, all rolled into one. Your mission. Looking for what to say in your sales mission state? Do you think it’s about making lots of money? Or do you believe it’s about the value you provide? Here’s the mission statement that I use: Make an ethical sale that’s so value -packed and memorable that the customer is compelled to buy again, give a testimonial, and tell everyone else how great I am. • The process takes time. Write a ﬁrst draft. Let it sit for a few days. Reread it slowly and make changes that you feel better express your true feelings. Describe the things you think you are, and the things you seek to accomplish or become. • Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ﬂatter yourself. You’re writing this for yourself, not others. Affirm everything you think you are or think you want to become. Do it with a sense of pride and a spirit of adventure. • Ask your mentor(s) and associates for

help. If they offer constructive criticism, thank them. If they tell you, “You’re crazy,” you’re on the right path. Stay on it. As salespeople and business leaders we each have a responsibility to do our best. I know I Gitomer do. By writing a mission statement you have afﬁrmed that responsibility. And carry it with you mentally wherever you go. It is your mission. I urge you to write yours. It builds your character at the same time it lays it bare. It serves as a beacon of light in the fog of life. It is a path to take that you build on every day. It is your mission. If your sales mission statement is deep, and honest, then your sales results will be incredible based on your integrity, not based on your sales skills. Not to say that sales skills aren’t a necessary part of the equation — but I would rather have a sales mission statement than a closing technique when I am battling a competitor, or trying to capture an order. Post yours on the wall where you can see it every day. Sign it in big bold Sharpie pen. Live it. Live it every day. You’re certain to make more sales as a result. It is your mission. Editor’s note: Jeffrey Gitomer is on sabbatical. This column originally appeared in the November 5, 2015, Business Journal.

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of 12 books. His real-world ideas and content also are available as online courses at gitomerlearningacademy.com. For information about training and seminars, visit gitomer.com or gitomercertiﬁedadvisors.com, or email Jeffrey at salesman@gitomer.com.

16 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q September 1, 2017 THE SPIN CYCLE

Solar eclipse outshined Super Bowl on social

ast week’s solar eclipse spurred more than 9 million tweets globally, along with 240 million interactions (posts, reactions, shares and comments) from more than 66 million Facebook users. Twitter showcased how the volume of conversation about the eclipse aligned with its path across the U.S. with an insightful interactive map. The Weather Channel’s Chasing Eclipse 2017 Twitter livestream reached 7.1 million total unique viewers. Facebook said the solar eclipse sparked more discussion than Super Bowl LI, adding that 67 percent of users discussing the eclipse were women, and 20 percent were located outside of the U.S. The top 10 eclipse-related hashtags on Facebook were: 1. #eclipse2017 2. #solareclipse2017 3. #totality 4. #eclipseday 5. #nasa 6. #pathoftotality 7. #felizlunes 8. #brillatuluz 9. #greatamericaneclipse 10. #eclipseglasses And the ﬁve foreign countries discussing it the most were: 1. Mexico 2. Canada 3. U.K. 4. Brazil 5. India There were more than 129,000 eclipse-related Facebook Live videos from publishers and users, and all eclipse-related videos (not just Facebook Live) totaled more than 365 million views. The top Facebook Live video, with more than 29 million views, came from NASA, and at one point during eclipse day, more than 500,000 users were tuned in. Also, a 360-degree Facebook Live video from NASA, in 4K resolution, totaled more than 3 million views. Social Media Platforms Leverage Video Content, Ad Revenue Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter are embarking on a massive grab for video content, hoping to drive increased usage and capture a greater portion of digital video ad revenues with familiar ad formats such as pre-roll and midroll, according to a recent eMarketer survey. “Consumers – particularly young people– are viewing video programming on more devices and in more destinations than ever before, and social platforms want to capture their attention,” said Debra Aho Williamson, eMarketer principal analyst and author of the new report, “Video Advertising in Social Media 2017: Showtime for Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter.” Video advertising has become an important revenue stream for social media properties. Being limited to the “social” bucket has stymied growth. The broader digital video ad business is something that all social properties have been targeting. eMarketer predicts U.S. digital video ad spending outside of social platforms will reach $13.23 billion this year, up 23.7 percent from 2016. By 2021, spending will reach $22.18 billion. eMarketer does not include video outlays on social platforms in its digital video ad spending forecast, instead

Courtesy of www.nps.gov/Special to the MBJ

counting them in the rich media forecast. Rich media, which will be a $10.33 billion market in the U.S. this year, Although Facebook has deep pockets and an enormous audience, its success is by no means ensured. Consumers today don’t go there to watch shows, so Facebook must change their behavTodd Smith ior by offering insightful programming and a robust video platform. Meanwhile, Snapchat’s “shows” are quite short, beneﬁting its position as a place for creative, quick-hit content for the young audience. TV networks are the primary programming partners, and the ads use Snapchat’s familiar vertical video format. But many marketers have yet to get comfortable with creating video ads on Snapchat. As the company continues to roll out programming, the challenge will be to convince them to develop for its unique format. Twitter is relying on its real-time model, emphasizing live and event-driven video content. Like Snapchat, Twitter has turned to a familiar format – its Amplify video publisher partner program – for delivering ads in new shows. The company has a lot at stake on its video strategy, given its sliding user growth and resulting falloff in ad revenues. Google Docs Upgraded People using Google Docs will now have an easier time collaborating. The search giant said recently it has upgraded its popular online word processing service to make it easier to use for big projects that require a lot of input from others, often at the same time. The changes are intended to improve how people are updated about multiple, recent edits. For example, one update lets users see all of their team’s edits in one place, “version history,” while another one lets people see “clean” versions of documents without other people’s edits or comments. People can also choose to either accept or reject a person’s edits all at once to avoid having to manually approve

each individual change on a document. The updates make Google Docs more akin to Microsoft’s competing Word, which includes similar editing capabilities.

Golf Mic | Johnson – Spieth Playoff Was Epic Heavyweight Fight On the eve after the epic Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight, perhaps the greatest fight of last weekend was the courageous performance of Dustin Johnson outlasting Jordan Spieth in the FedEx Cup playoff opener, The Northern Trust. Down to his last shot, Johnson watched his 17-foot par putt stay on the high side of the hole and thought for sure it would miss. He took two steps of hope to the right, then pumped his fist in a rare show of emotion when the ball swirled around and into the cup. Given new life, Johnson reached deep for strength and powered a drive to the far edge of the fairway. It was the longest drive all week on the 18th hole. The No. 1 player in golf was seizing the day. Spieth lost for the first time in six tries when leading by two shots or more, and there wasn’t much he could do while Johnson played bogey-free through the final 29 holes. But both golfers duked it out in fine fashion and kept viewers glued to their seats every bit as much as the Mayweather – McGregor tilt. Both Johnson and Spieth boxed their way to the top of the FedEx Cup list – and are set for another stellar tournament this weekend in Boston. For that Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth take the Golf Mic! Each week, The Spin Cycle will bestow a Golden Mic Award to the person, group or company in the court of public opinion that best exemplifies the tenets of solid PR, marketing and advertising – and those who don’t. Stay tuned – and step-up to the mic! And remember … Amplify Your Brand!

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

Newsmakers Zizzi to lead CPA firm Byrne Zizzi CPA, PLLC, recently named Emily Moore Zizzi, CPA, as the firm’s president. Zizzi has worked at the firm for 15 years in various roles and became a partner in 2013. She is responsible for managing the firm’s client services. She is a native of Houston, Zizzi Miss., and lives in Tupelo. Tom Byrne Jr., CPA, had served as president of the firm since founder Harold Craig’s retirement in 1991. Byrne will be Chairman and Director, and Tax and Financial Strategy Advisor. Byrne Zizzi was founded in 1961 by Craig. The firm has 27 employees, including 6 CPAs, at offices in Houston, Aberdeen, Tupelo and Oxford. The firm focuses on income tax reporting, tax-wise financial planning, and management accounting and reporting.

September 1, 2017

9th Maroon Edition home

Grantham named president

Dr. William M. Grantham, Medical Director of MEA Medical Clinic in Clinton, has been named the new president of the Mississippi State Medical Association. The Association’s members elect a new president every year. Dr. Lee Voulters of Gulfport is the Grantham immediate past president of the Association. A family practice physician and native of Hattiesburg, Grantham attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson, and interned and served his residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Grantham has been licensed to practice in Mississippi and Alabama since 1989. MEA Medical Clinics has 14 clinics; 12 in the Jackson metro area, with one in Laurel and one in Vicksburg.

MSU ranked in ‘Money’ list Mississippi State University is ranked the best in Mississippi and is among the top 50 best colleges in the south in Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money” 2017 rankings. MSU came in at No. 48 and was listed as the best college in Mississippi in Money’s ranking of the best colleges in every state. The rankings combine 27 data points that measure educational quality, affordability and alumni success for 2,400 colleges.

Mississippi Business Journal

P.C. in Birmingham, and Forman, Watkins & Krutz, LLP in Jackson. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. While practicing law, Butts received the Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent AV Rating, which is the highest peer review rating for ethical standards and legal ability. He was also a ﬁnancial advisor for Merrill Lynch, where he held his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Butts earned a Bachelor of Accountancy degree and was one of 10 seniors inducted into the Ole Miss Hall of Fame. He also graduated magna cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree and served as a member of the Mississippi Law Journal.

Moody passes exam

Foundation rewards Miles Royce Miles Jr. of Starkville has been named the recipient of the Mississippi Vision Foundation’s ﬁrst Helen Allison St. Clair scholarship for students of optometry. Miles, a third year student at the Southern College of Optometry (SCO), is a graduate of Miles Starkville High School, Itawamba Community College, and the University of Mississippi with a BA in Biology. At SCO he is a class representative, an officer for Omega Delta fraternity, a student ambassador and participates in a mentor program. The Helen Allison St. Clair Optometry Scholarship was established to honor the memory of long-time Mississippi Optometric Association (MOA) Executive Director Helen Allison St. Clair.

Photo by Beth Wynn / Courtesy of MSU

Mississippi State University and Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity officials recently broke ground on the ninth Maroon Edition home, which will be built this fall by volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and MSU. The groundbreaking ceremony officially kicked off construction of the house on Owens Street, which is being built for Habitat partner family Kareema Gillon and her two young children. MSU President Mark E. Keenum hammered the house’s ﬁrst nail. Pictured, left to right, are City of Starkville Community Development Director Buddy Sanders; Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity Board President Barbara Coats; Gillon; Gillon’s mother Vanessa Gillon; Gillon’s grandmother Corinne Shumpert; and Keenum. MSU placed in the top half of Money’s national “Best Colleges” overall rankings at No. 344.

Fisher Phillips recognized Fisher Phillips, a national law firm with an office in Gulfport, has been recognized by BTI Consulting Group for having Leading Collaboration across the law firm. The firm was one of 54 chosen nationally to receive this recognition. BTI’s “Law Firms with the Best Collaboration 2017” is based on in-depth telephone interviews with leading legal decision makers at large organizations with $1 billion or more in revenue. The comprehensive analysis trends data from more than 4,800 corporate counsel client interviews conducted over the span of 17 years. BTI is a provider of strategic, client-based research to the legal community.

Walden new CAVS director Bagley College of Engineering alumnus Clay Walden is the new executive director of the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems at Mississippi State University. He succeeds Roger King, who retired in June after a distinguished career with the university. Walden most recently served as director of CAVS Extension in Canton. Glenn Dennis has been named director of that unit. CAVS is an interdisciplinary center comprised of research, engineering design and development, and technology transfer teams serving industry and government partners. Walden has more than 25 years of experience implementing quality and productivity enhancements for a wide range of companies, including Mueller Industries, Nissan, Faurecia, PFG Optics, Dover Elevator, Tower Automotive, Herman Miller, Northrop Grumman

Ship Systems and others. At MSU, he has managed more than $20 million in externally funded contracts primarily focused on improving manufacturing performance around the state. A three-time graduate of MSU — earning bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in industrial engineering — he also is Six Sigma Black Belt certiﬁed. Dennis, who previously served as CAVS Extension associate director, is a registered professional engineer and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from MSU and a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Memphis. He also is a Six Sigma Black Belt with expertise in process engineering, quality engineering, plant master planning and new business startup and commercialization.

Sanderson names manager Casey Butts has been promoted to Corporate Processing Manager at Sanderson Farms, Inc., headquartered in Laurel. As a Corporate Processing Manager, Butts will provide leadership in the management and administration of the company’s 11 processing divisions and one further processing facility. He will work closely with plant management at the company’s McComb, Mississippi and Moultrie, Georgia processing facilities by providing consultation and direction necessary to enable plant management to achieve established operational and corporate objectives. Butts began his career with Sanderson Farms as an Advanced Trainee III in 2014. Most recently, he served as the Division Manager for the company’s Moultrie, Ga., processing facility. Under his leadership, the facility made progress toward operational objectives and improved in cost efficiency, employee retention and employee safety. Prior to joining Sanderson Farms, Butts served as an associate attorney for Maynard, Cooper & Gale,

Nicholas W. Moody of Machado | Patano, PLLC recently passed the Professional Engineering Qualiﬁcation exam. Moody received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2008, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Mississippi Moody College in 2006. He joined Machado | Patano in 2009. He received is EI & LEED AP BD + C certiﬁcation during his early employment with Machado | Patano. Moody has worked for several notable projects including the Biloxi VA- Project Acorn, City of Biloxi Infrastructure Program, Scarlet Pearl Casino & Hotel, City of D’Iberville Fire Station & New Sportsplex, Huntington Ingalls Shipyard Area 400 Rolling Covers, D’Iberville Promenade, Academy Sports D’Iberville, Southern Tire Marts & Family Dollar’s Nationwide.

Trustmark promotes 3 Trustmark recently made three promotions at its corporate headquarters in Jackson. » Asset Review Examiner Trustmark Justin Laxson has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Laxson has 11 years of banking experience. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Delta State University and a Bachelor Laxson of Business Administration from Mississippi State University. » Commercial Relationship Manager Matt Farrell has been promoted to First Vice President. Farrell has 10 years of banking experience and has completed the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University Farrell of Mississippi and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. In Vicksburg, he is a member of the Finance Council of St. Michael Catholic Church and a member of the YMCA Y’s Men’s Club. » ATM Technical Administrator Stephen Lowery to Vice President at its corporate headquarters in Jackson, where he serves as Lowery has 29 years of combined banking and Automated Teller Machine industry experience.

Newsmakers

18 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q September 1, 2017

Kitchings named MEC VP

The Mississippi Economic Council recently named Beth Kitchings as Vice President of Member Involvement. Kitchings leads a team responsible for growing, engaging and retaining the membership base of the state’s chamber of commerce. She joins MEC with more than Kitchings 25 years of sales, marketing, and communications experience with organizations and clients in the healthcare, education, ﬁnancial services, manufacturing, and tourism industries. Kitchings has spent the past 12 years at the Ramey Agency managing a variety of accounts such as Viking Range, Bank of the Ozarks, BankPlus, The University of Mississippi, and The Catﬁsh Institute. Her previous work experience has exposed her to many different vertical markets and the issues that impact them, allowing for an understanding of how to better serve MEC’s membership and potential members. Kitchings currently serves CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Mississippi as Board President and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Jackson. She holds a degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Mississippi. Beth and her husband, Taylor, are native Mississippians and live in Ridgeland. They have two adult children, and are members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Fulbright selects Shaw David Shaw, Mississippi State University’s chief research officer, has been selected by the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for its prestigious U.S.-France International Education Administrators Program. In October, Shaw will spend Shaw two weeks in France learning about that country’s higher education and research system. He and 11 other senior administrators from U.S. colleges and universities will participate in brieﬁngs, campus visits and meetings with government officials. They also will engage with French international education professions, explore the larger culture and have networking opportunities with their peers. At MSU, Shaw holds the faculty rank of Giles Distinguished Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences. Beginning his career at MSU in 1985 as an assistant professor, he has assisted in the creation and leadership of several cross-disciplinary research centers that focus on the applications of remote sensing technology to resource management. Prior to being named vice president in December 2009, Shaw served as the director of the Northern Gulf Institute, an MSU-led NOAA Cooperative Institute. He also was director of the Geosystems Research Institute at MSU, a research and outreach institute focused on understanding the earth’s natural and managed systems. Shaw is a fellow of the Weed Science Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Cameron University in Oklahoma and a master’s and doctorate from Oklahoma State University, both in weed science.

Stennis employees recognized with NASA Honors Stennis Space Center employees from Mississippi were recently recognized for their work at the Annual NASA Honor Awards. » NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal: Robert S. Harris was recognized for for progressive leadership as procurement officer and senior procurement official at Stennis. Harris is responsible for overseeing a $4.7 billion acquisition management program and supporting more than 40 resident agencies of the Stennis Harris federal city. He is noted for innovative procurement and high-impact savings strategies, model leadership and exceptional contributions to the business and cultural success of Stennis and NASA. » NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal: Randall R. Canady (retired) of Ocean Springs, was honored for contributions in project construction and management at Stennis, including as chief of the Project Management Division in the Engineering and Test Directorate. Canady joined NASA in 1991. At Stennis, he assisted in the Canady identiﬁcation of priorities for the revitalization and sustainment of propulsion test facilities and infrastructure, including enhancements for safety and operability. His achievements helped advance NASA mission goals and heighten Stennis’ reputation as a worldclass facility. Andrew L. Clarke of Long Beach was honored for 31 years of service at Stennis including as a project engineer, project manager, facilities manager and real property accountable officer. Clarke has worked on – and often led – more than Clarke 40 high-visibility projects that have impacted both Stennis activities and physical landscape. He has contributed to the center with achievements and inﬂuence in construction projects, refurbishment projects, public outreach and mentoring Randolph R. Holland (retired) of Picayune

CPA Rosetti retires After 40 years as an accounting manager for Mladinich Holdings LP and COMVEST Properties, Gary Rosetti, CPA, has retired. Rosetti joined the Mladinichs in the late 1960s to oversee the payroll and other accounting duties of the family’s many Biloxi enterRosetti prises. He went on to become a CPA and auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the Department of Navy and the Office of Inspector General of Homeland Security. While with DCAA, Rosetti was branch manager of the Gulf Coast Branch Office. In 2011, Rosetti became affiliated with commer-

was honored for more than 32 years of service as a project manager at Stennis. Holland began his NASA career as a data and control systems engineer. He led recovery and mitigation projects at Stennis following Hurricane Katrina and provided exceptional leadership and Holland management of other critical site projects as well. His achievements have helped to advance propulsion test quality and capabilities at Stennis. Steven W. Taylor of Pass Christian was honored for his work as a NASA senior procurement analyst and senior contracting officer at Stennis. Since 2008, he has made exceptional contributions, particularly in procurement Taylor guidance and support on a number of high-proﬁle projects. Taylor also has provided strategic support and leadership regarding small businesses. He has made key contributions to produce millions of contract dollar savings annually and is recognized as a consummate acquisitions professional. Charles M. Willis (retired) of Bay St. Louis was honored for l for his 26 years of service in design and construction project management at Stennis. Willis was recognized as the authority on the Stennis high-voltage electrical distribution system Willis and is credited with ensuring its reliable operation and maintenance through solution-oriented leadership and inspiring others to perform at optimal levels. Willis also served as the contracting officer representative for a variety of Stennis projects. » NASA Early Career Achievement Medal: Jeanne M. Koger of Diamondhead was honored for her work as a NASA attorney at Stennis. In that role, Koger has displayed an uncommon level of legal and business expertise Koger

cial leasing operations for COMVEST Properties in conjunction with Mladinich Holdings

Powell joins BMA team Daniel Powell will be joining the Brown, Mitchell & Alexander survey team under the Mississippi State Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program. Powell is a native of Philadelphia, Miss., and received dual Associate degrees in Drafting and Design as well as Rosetti Land Surveying Technology from East Central Community College in Decatur. He is studying Survey & Geomatics (SGEO) at Mississippi State with the goal of becoming a licensed

to become an authoritative source on a myriad of issues. She also has ensured regulatory deadlines are met in such areas as ethics training and conﬂict-of-interest ﬁnancial reporting. Koger has proven a champion of diversity and inclusion efforts at Stennis as well. Casey S. Wheeler of Gulfport was honored for for his work as a NASA project manager at Stennis. In that role, Wheeler has consistently demonstrated the drive and commitment necessary to Wheeler ensure Stennis’ mission success, an attention to detail and a quick mastery of construction processes. Wheeler has been recognized for exceptional contributions on a number of major infrastructure and construction projects at Stennis. » NASA Silver Achievement Medal: Jennifer R. Rolison of Gulfport was honored for her contributions as the NASA team lead for procurement support services at Stennis. Responsible for a multitude of tasks, Rolison leads a team that provides stellar support to NASA Office of Procurement operations. She is recognized as a premier system analyst Rolison and has been lauded for her problem-solving skills and expertise. She also has provided expert training on various systems and is noted for her attention to detail and very high level of accuracy and efficiency. The R-4403 Expansion Leadership Team was honored for leadership and their technical expertise and guidance in helping Stennis Space Center win approval for an expansion of its restricted airspace to support both NASA and U.S. Navy missions on site. Approval required coordination across NASA, Navy and Federal Baughmann Aviation Administration (FAA) offices, as well as meeting various environmental and operational requirements. Among members of the leadership team was FAA representative Benjamin Baughmann of Tylertown.

Professional Land Surveyor. The MSU Co-op Program allows students to obtain “real world” work experience related to their ﬁeld of study while still in school.

Ramey on Inc. 5000 list For the second year in a row, Inc. magazine named The Ramey Agency to its 36th annual Inc. 5000, a prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. CEO Chris Ray, called the achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work, dedication and commitment. The Ramey Agency is a brand strategy and marketing communications company with 40 employees and offices in Jackson, Memphis, and New Orleans.

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