The Mississippi Business Journal articles from August 2004

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from August 2004

Into tech: automobiles to aerospace: MBCI lands two contracts; moving closer to goal of more higher-skilled, -paying jobs.(Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. )
August 2, 2004... CHOCTAW -- With the signing of contracts with two prestigious international companies, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is a giant step closer to fulfilling its goal of creating higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs for its tribal members...

Bringing entertainment from Russia to Biloxi presents unique challenges: the show must go on ...
August 2, 2004... BILOXI -- The show must go on. But imagine the complications of the opening nights of the Red Dream, a new circus and dance production from Russia that began recently at the Beau Rivage--even though four of the six lead male dancers had been...

Committee studying issues of concern to Coast casinos.
August 2, 2004... An ad hoc gaming committee is meeting to discuss coastal issues facing this important state industry. Brought together by Secretary of State Eric Clark and executive director of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) William H. Walker, the...

Foreclosure rate uptick somewhat surprising, economists say: one possible solution: self control on spending.
August 2, 2004... It may have sounded like a good deal at the time. Even Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve, has recommended the consumers having a tough time paying the bills consider tapping their home equity. With interest rates at the...

Making a difference important part of Mississippi business.(As I See It)(Column)
August 2, 2004... This week we have a dual editorial focus: the first, a look at Made in Mississippi, and the second on nonprofit organizations, both charitable and trade associations. Though newspapers might not seem like manufacturers at first blush,...

Hearn's new book 'paints face' on Camille.(One Writer's Perspective)(Book Review)
August 2, 2004... The statistics of Hurricane Camille are mind numbing. Winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. Waves reaching nearly 35 feet. Property damage of more than $1.5 billion ($11 billion in today's dollars). And 172 Mississippians dead or missing. ...

State Farm.(People to Watch)(State of Mississippi)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... State Farm has named Biloxi native Susan Lamey as public affairs specialist for the State of Mississippi. Lamey, who will be based in Jackson, started her career with State Farm in 1998 as an agency field specialist on the Mississippi Gulf...

East Mississippi Business Development Corporation.(People to Watch)(East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) )(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) named Sandra Bunyard as the recipient of the Ambassador of the Month Award for June. Bunyard works for Americrete Readymix Concrete. The first runner-up was Tommy White, marketing...

Chautauqua Exhibition of American Art.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... James W. Bailey, a native of Columbus, has been named the winner of the prestigious Albert J. Turbessi Award for the 47th Chautauqua Exhibition of American Art, in Chautauqua, N.Y. In May, Bailey's "Rough Edge Photography" piece, "Woman at the...

State Board for Community and Junior Colleges (SBCJC).(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges (SBCJC) has recently appointed John Adcock of Handle as its first permanent director for career and technical education. Adcock was hired in January as interim director. He has more than 30...

A gift for USM.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... University of Southern Mississippi (USM) alumni and friends who are employees of Home CPA Group are honoring the contributions of two of their own with a major commitment to the university's College of Business and Economic Development (CBED)...

U.S. Department of Agriculture.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman recently recognized Larry G. Heatherly, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, with the Plow Award, the highest U.S. Department of Agriculture honor, at the 58th annual USDA Honor Awards Ceremony....

State Bank & Trust Company.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... State Bank & Trust Company has named Lee Seago president for its Jackson area banks. With more than a decade of banking experience, Seago has formerly held positions with State Bank as city president for both Greenville and Madison County. He...

Neel-Schaffer Inc.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Rosemary Aldridge of Madison has been named senior project manager at Neel-Schaffer in Jackson. Aldridge is a graduate of Vanderbilt University where she earned a bachelor's degree in civil and environment engineering. She has over 15 years of...

Morrell Agency Inc.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Keri Morrell, CIC, AAI, CPIW, DAE of the Morrell Agency Inc. in Magnolia was named the National Association of Insurance Women's National Insurance Professional of the Year. The award recognizes excellence among those who have been employed in...

Abbott, Simses & Kuchler.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Abbott, Simses & Kuchler is pleased to announce that Patrick Beasley has joined the firm. Beasley is a 2001 graduate of Mississippi College School of Law. He will practice primarily in the areas of toxic tort litigation and general civil...

Haddox Reid Burkes & Calhoun, PLLC.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Amy McKenzie has been promoted to senior manager at Haddox Reid Burkes & Calhoun in Jackson. McKenzie practices in the tax division and is a graduate of Mississippi State University (MSU). Scott McKenzie has been promoted to senior manager. He...

Mississippi Municipal League.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Ridgeland Mayor Gene F. McGee was elected president of the Mississippi Municipal League (MML). McGee joined the league in 1985 and has held several key leadership positions. First vice president is Pontotoc Mayor Bill Rutledge and Ocean Springs...

BankFirst.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Markham Robinson, vice president and branch manager of BankFirst in Madison, joined the bank in February 2004. He has more than 12 years of banking experience. Bobby L. Little, senior vice president/lender, joined the bank in September 2003....

Mississippi Supreme Court.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice James W. Smith Jr. named as recipients of this year's Chief Justice Awards Justice Jess H. Dickinson, Circuit Judge Robert B. Helfrich and District Attorney Jon Mark Weathers. They were recognized for...

Mississippi Manufacturers Association.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... The Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA) announces the appointment of two new staff members: Renee DeRusso, director of sales for the MMA Workers Compensation Group Inc., and Sheila A. Skipper, APR, director of communications. A graduate...

Congressman Chip Pickering.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Congressman Chip Pickering announces three staff additions and one promotion in his Washington, D.C., and Pearl district offices. Chad Adams III of Jackson joined the Pickering team in March as an intern and has been hired as a legislative...

Fenceworks buys Cabell complex in downtown Jackson: company adding workers for expansion.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- The Hinds County Economic Development District (HCEDD) and the City of Jackson recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcoming Fenceworks Inc. to the downtown area of the Capital City. Fenceworks has acquired the former Cabell...

Hillwood recruits Conair.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Real estate development and investment firm Hillwood is developing a 389,316-square-foot facility on approximately 38 acres in its DeSoto Trade Center. Upon completion, Hillwood will sell the building to Conair, a manufacturer and distributor...

Lost Rabbit selects Adara.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... RIDGELAND -- Lost Rabbit, a traditional neighborhood development (TND) in Madison County, is getting advanced networking from a partnership of companies that includes Adara Networks, Sun Microsystems and Neopolis Development, LLC, which is the...

Tiffin in production.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... BELMONT -- During a recent ceremony, Gov. Haley Barbour cut the ribbon, officially opening Tiffin Motorhomes new Tishomingo County facility. The facility will create approximately 200 new jobs following a $3.3-million investment in...

Delta beefs up service.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... GULFPORT -- Delta Connection's winter schedule at the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport will offer all-jet service between the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Atlanta with seven daily flights beginning December 1,2004. Three new regional jet flights,...

L-3 Vertex working T-6As.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... MADISON -- L-3 Communications has teamed with Raytheon Aircraft Company in a five-year material/supply support agreement for aftermarket support of the Raytheon T-6A Texan II primary training aircraft. L-3 Communications' Vertex Aerospace...

Trustmark's earnings at all-time high.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- Trustmark Corporation (NASDAQ: TRMK) saw record basic earnings per share of $0.57 for the second quarter of 2004, a 7.5% increase compared to $0.53 for the second quarter of 2003. Net income for the second quarter of 2004 totaled...

Appeals loses another judge.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- Court of Appeals Judge Leslie H. Southwick will take a leave of absence from the court to begin active duty with the Mississippi Army National Guard August 9 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Southwick, 54, is a member of the...

Kidney Cars passes goal.(Strictly Business)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- The National Kidney Foundation of Mississippi (NKFM) has its goal of $1 million raised through the Kidney Cars Program to Mississippi. Allowing interested parties to donate vehicles to raise money for kidney research, it is the top...

Peavey signs Jack Daniel's agreement.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... MERIDIAN -- Peavey Electronics Corporation has become the exclusive licensee of the Jack Daniel's brand of musical instruments, amplifiers and accessories. Peavey unveiled its debut Jack Daniel's products at the Summer International Music...

Triton introduces 'Standard'.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... LONG BEACH -- Triton, the leader in off-premise (non-bank) ATMs, will open the Triton Standard interface specifications for availability to the many manufacturers emulating Triton ATMs. "Our goal is to open Triton Standard in order to...

AGC, OSHA form alliance.(Strictly Business)(U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Associated General Contractors)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mississippi chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) marked its newly formed alliance to reduce "struck-by" accidents. The signing ceremony was held...

Port chosen for 'slack-water' study.(Strictly Business)(Mississippi Department of Transportation)(Port of Vicksburg )(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... VICKSBURG -- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has selected the Port of Vicksburg to use in a case study for "slack-water" Mississippi River ports. Slack water is an area in a sea or river unaffected by currents; still water....

United Auction opening hubs.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- United Auction Brokers, LLC, has made public plans to open shipping, receiving and processing hubs in Jackson, as well as Albuquerque, N.M., Atlanta, Billings, Mont., Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Fla., Pittsburgh,...

Weyerhaeuser's CSC sets milestone.(Strictly Business)(customer service center )(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... GULFPORT -- The Weyerhaeuser Company's customer service center (CSC) in this Gulf Coast city recently set a new safety milestone. As of July 16, the employees had worked five years with no injuries. "Safety is contagious at the Gulfport...

Denbury sells offshore assets.(Strictly Business)
August 2, 2004... Denbury Resources Inc., the Dallas-based company that is the largest independent gas and oil exploration company operating in Mississippi, has sold Denbury Offshore Inc. The buyer is Newfield Exploration Company, which paid $200 million, before...

Legg Mason splits stock.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Legg Mason Inc.'s board of directors has declared a three-for-two stock split of its common stock. The shares are payable September 24, 2004, to shareholders of record as of the close of business September 8, 2004. The board of directors...

KCS, MDOT agreement.(Strictly Business)(Mississippi Department of Transportation )(Kansas City Southern Railway Company )(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) and the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) have signed a corridor project agreement that will affect all 88 public railroad at-grade crossings on KCS from Vicksburg to Meridian. The...

SSME test success.(Strictly Business)(Space Shuttle Main Engine )(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... HANCOCK COUNTY -- Engineers at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) have successfully tested one of the engines that will carry the next Space Shuttle into orbit. The test was the first on a complete Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) that...

Mass layoffs hit low.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- In June 2004, employers took 1,379 mass layoff actions, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each action involved at least 50...

Nelco, Galleria building theater, retail complex.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... GREENVILLE -- The Nelco Cineplex and The Galleria have unveiled plans to build a new "six-plex" theater and strip center in this Washington County city. The capital investment in the project was not disclosed. Slated to open in the late...

Legal Services funded.(Legal assistance to the poor, supreme court directive)
August 2, 2004... Civil legal assistance programs for the poor in Mississippi will receive $50,000 this month from fees assessed to out of state lawyers. The Mississippi Supreme Court has directed that the money be divided among the state's two civil legal...

S&P affirms ratings.(Strictly Business)
August 2, 2004... Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P) has affirmed its "A+" counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on members of the St. Paul Intercompany pool, Travelers Intercompany pool, Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America, Travelers...

Wage gap study released.(gender equality, growth of women entrepreneurs)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... TUPELO -- While women have made progress closing the wage gap, a new study finds that the advances are not as strong as national data suggests. "This continued wage gap is a big reason why women-owned businesses are growing at a...

MBCI hosts symposium.(Strictly Business)(Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... On July 28-29, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) held its second-annual Judiciary Symposium at MBCI's Pearl River Resort. The symposium is designed to help attorneys, judges, state and local representatives, law enforcement and...

Community Bank opens office.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... MERIDIAN -- Community Bank held a grand opening ceremony July 22 for its new bank office on Highway 39 North in this Lauderdale County city. President and CEO Chuck Nicholson, said, "Everything we have done has been in response to the...

Price indexes show rise.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% in June, before seasonal adjustment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The June level of 189.7 (1982-84=100) was 3.3% higher than in June 2003. ...

CFS prices stock offering.(Strictly Business)(Collegiate Funding Services)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- Collegiate Funding Services Inc. (CFS) has priced its initial public offering of 9.375 million shares of its common stock at $16 per share. The offering will raise total gross proceeds of $150 million. The company has granted the...

VRA cultivating conservatism?(Voting Rights Act amendment)
August 2, 2004... STANFORD, CALIF. -- Does the amended Voting Rights Act (VRA) promote the creation of so-called majority-minority districts? Political scientists have argued for more than a decade that creating safe liberal seats by culling large numbers of...

Balance of imports and exports passes through State Port: Gulfport is home to third-largest container port in the Gulf.(Made in Mississippi)
August 2, 2004... GULFPORT -- Mississippi's State Port is over 100 years old but shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, it's growing and becoming a national leader in waterborne commerce. Founded in 1902, the State Port Authority at Gulfport imports more...

On the move: Mississippi-made products around the world.(Made in Mississippi)
August 2, 2004... After two years of declining exports, Mississippi is gaining ground again. "Between 2002 and 2003, exports to Mexico dropped 40%, exports to Europe dropped about 30% and exports to China fell about 20%," said Liz Cleveland, manager of the...

Profitability remains elusive for Mississippi catfish farmers: three years of low prices starting to add up.(Made in Mississippi)
August 2, 2004... Catfish farming is one of the state's top agricultural commodities, coming in fifth with approximately $255 million worth of production annually from 405 catfish operations covering about 106,000 acres of ponds. Mississippi leads the...

Outfitting Mississippians a rewarding retailing experience.(Made in Mississippi)(Buffalo Peak)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- When you step inside Buffalo Peak Outfitters, you might have to remind yourself that you're into Mississippi's busy Capital City. It's somewhat like stepping into a wilderness lodge. The hardwood floors have leather-like...

Kristen's Kandles are making Mississippi a better smelling place.(Made in Mississippi)
August 2, 2004... LUMBERTON -- Kristen's Kandles is a home-based business that was officially started just last year. The 30-year-old owner, Kristen Blackwell, learned how to make candles on her own and hopes to grow her business. Her slogan is "Handmade...

Shack Up Inn giving guests a new twist to unique offerings.(Made in Mississippi)
August 2, 2004... CLARKSDALE -- After clearing up some last-minute details, the Shack Up Inn added a new twist to its unusual hotel property--the Cotton Gin Inn on Hopson Plantation opened five new rooms this month on the site of Mr. Hopson's cotton storage bins...

Manufacturing facilities.(Illustration)
August 2, 2004... Manufaturing Facilities Manufacturer Product Address Telephone/Fax Export Country Web Address Northrup Grumman Ship Systems ...

More customers buying Make Mine Mississippi products.(Made in Mississippi)
August 2, 2004... Last year, the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council shipped four million boxes of the carb-friendly vegetables throughout the U.S., to Canada and the U.K., all labeled with the Make Mine Mississippi logo. "You bet the Make Mine Mississippi...

The good stuff: from Knock-You-Naked Margarita Mix to the fruit that enhances it, it's all made in Mississippi ...(Made in Mississippi)(cheesecakes)
August 2, 2004... Two weeks ago, Tammy Craddock was conjuring up vanilla bean cheesecakes. Last week, she worked on a brandy peach variety. Both flavors represent two of the 60 types of cheesecakes she makes by hand for Jubilations Cheesecakes in Columbus. ...

With economy on upswing, nonprofits optimistic.(Associations & Nonprofits)
August 2, 2004... Even though the economic downturn hit Mississippi later than more commercialized states, recovery has been slower. Yet Mississippi remains the most philanthropic state in the nation, especially when it comes to supporting nonprofit...

Businesses, professionals find time to give something back.(Associations & Nonprofits)
August 2, 2004... If you want to get something done, the old saying goes, ask a busy person. Hardworking business and professional people all over Mississippi are proving that true every day by making time to give back to their communities. A few of them told...

Associations.(Directory)(Illustration)
August 2, 2004... Associations Association Address American Council of Engineering 2084 Dunbarton Dr., Ste. C Companies, Miss. Chapter American Diabetes Association, 660 Lakeland East Dr. Mississippi Chapter ...

Stirring the pot: 2,000 volunteers, $1.4-million budget.(Associations & Nonprofits)(Stewpot Community Services)
August 2, 2004... The mission: to annually serve 60,000 meals and provide shelter for 1,000 homeless people. The requirement: 2,000 volunteers. The budget: $1.4 million. Stewpot Community Services, a nonprofit organization that started as a simple soup...

Back Bay Mission wraps service, caring around community.
August 2, 2004... BILOXI -- A mission that began in 1922 to assist poor immigrant families working in the seafood industry has remained strong and evolved to meet current needs of the community. Back Bay Mission has a legacy of compassionate service and has...

Performing arts nonprofits rise to fundraising challenges: groups attempting to reach non-traditional donors.(Associations & Nonprofits)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- Performing arts nonprofits continue to fulfill their mission of bringing quality artists, concerts and stage productions, even as they experience challenges in fundraising and attracting audiences to their performances. New...

Finding innovative ways to help nonprofit organizations: Mississippi Center for Nonprofits director Mark McCrary offers sound advice.(A Mississippi Business Journal Q&A)(Interview)
August 2, 2004... JACKSON -- Getting by with fewer dollars and facing the possibility of new federal regulations while serving an increasing number of needs are just a few of the issues that Mark McCrary, executive director for the Mississippi Center for...

Repair of Meridian Southern Railway line vital, leaders say.
August 2, 2004... Efforts to repair approximately 60 miles of Meridian Southern Railways line is essential to the economic well being of East Mississippi, leaders say. Toward that end they are applying for $14.4 million in loans and grants beginning with a...

Who cares what Paris Hilton thinks of South Mississippi? Russian performers enjoying the applause, Southern way of life, too.(Television show character)
August 2, 2004... Recently the reality TV show, "A Simple Life Two: Road Trip," showed two spoiled rich girls, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, traveling through and turning up their noses at life in South Mississippi. Actually, the flip side of the coin is...

State's recreation economy generates business spinoffs.(Walter Dennis Associates Inc., environmental, forestry and wildlife consulting)
August 2, 2004... If ever there would be an "Old Forester's Day" similar to the annual day set aside to honor old journalists as Newsboys, then Walter Dennis of Natchez would certainly make the first round draft. I have not run across anybody else in the...

Tomatoes battling through a tough season.(plant diseases)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... STARKVILLE -- Diseases have challenged Mississippi tomatoes throughout the 2004 vegetable season, forcing growers to work harder to produce adequate yields and quality. Rick Snyder, Mississippi State University research and Extension...

Historic Highway 80: Metrocenter Area Coalition revitalizing corridor from Clinton to Pearl.
August 9, 2004... JACKSON -- When then Metrocenter manager Nina Holbrook and East Ford owner Al East formed the Metrocenter Area Coalition in 1998, not many people noticed. But in January, when Holbrook resigned her position as regional manager of Coyote...

Bellos Bakery introduces artisan breads to Coast.
August 9, 2004... OCEAN SPRINGS -- Coast residents are expanding their culinary vocabularies, as well as their palates, with the opening of Bellos Bakery, a producer of artisan breads, fine pastries and specialty cakes. Owners Gerald Quick and Thaddeus...

Students flock to new discount designer boutique in Oxford: sisters came up with idea over Thanksgiving dinner.
August 9, 2004... OXFORD -- Sisters Melinda Gholson and Rachel Murphy initially conjured up the idea of opening a trendy boutique in Oxford over Thanksgiving dinner. But the idea was promptly dropped because Gholson lived in Laurel and Murphy lived in Brandon....

Prayer for our schools.(Perspective)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... It is back-to-school time in Mississippi, and that's good for many businesses in the state. Parents are spending money on new clothes and school supplies. College students are buying TVs, DVD players and those little refrigerators for their...

Change comes by setting goals, working together.(As I See It)
August 9, 2004... This week we have a story about some folks who saw a need and took action to make a bad situation better. The Metrocenter Area Coalition, formed in 1998, is working to make the U.S. 80 corridor from Clinton to the Pearl River more presentable...

Advice to Haley Barbour: tip-toe backwards.(Musings)
August 9, 2004... It's not fair to lump all Mississippians together. We're a hodgepodge of varying lifestyles and opinions. I'm told there are at least four distinct areas in this one state. There's the Coast, where I grew up, which gets thrown in with...

Mississippi Bankers Association.(People to Watch)(T.E. Gene Walker appointed )(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... T.E. "Gene" Walker of Forest has been elected president of the Mississippi Bankers Association for 2004-2005. Walker is chairman of the board and CEO of Bank of Forest. Huey Townsend of Belzoni, chairman of the board, president and CEO of...

Reunion.(People to Watch)(Reunion master-planned community induces Reggie Sims)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Reggie Sims, vice president of sales and marketing at the Reunion master-planned community in Madison, was inducted recently as a member of the Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM) through the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of...

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport.(People to Watch)
August 9, 2004... The MHG Development Foundation at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport announced this year's winners of the Burdonne Young Scholarship, which are awarded annually to dependents of Memorial employees. A scholarship for education in a healthcare field...

CIT.ms.(People to Watch)(Communication Information Technology Organization of Mississippi elects boards of directors)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... The Communication Information Technology Organization of Mississippi (CIT.ms) recently elected a new slate of officers and at-large board members. Kiley Ham, manager of regulatory affairs for BellSouth, was elected chairman. Jill Beneke, CEO...

MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce.(People to Watch)(Lindsay James appointed)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... The Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce has hired a new public relations director, Lindsay James. A native of Hazlehurst, James earned an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. She was previously employed as a legal assistant for...

Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC).(People to Watch)(Bonnie Hankins promoted)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... MHC announces the promotion of Bonnie Hankins as network administrator. Hankins was hired in 1998 as an administrative assistant and has been promoted several times. Dick Bradford "Brad" Mason IV has been promoted to housing development lending...

M&F Bank.(People to Watch)(Sherry Ashley appointed)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... M&F Bank announced that Sherry Ashley has joined the bank as senior vice president and director of marketing. Ashley most recently was the director of marketing and public relations for Regions Bank in Arkansas. A native of Missouri, she earned...