The Mississippi Business Journal articles from December 2006

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from December 2006

SOLD: Bell Industries Inc. buys SkyTel for $23 million.(Company overview)
December 4, 2006... CLINTON -- Bell Industries Inc., based in El Segundo, Calif., gained not only a business, but a presence in Mississippi earlier this month, when it decided to acquire SkyTel Corp. of Clinton for $23 million, pending federal approval. ...

MTA hosting seventh-annual Conference on High Technology.
December 4, 2006... JACKSON -- On December 6, a cross section of business and community leaders, economic developers, public officials and those simply interested in the state's high-tech industry will once again gather in downtown Jackson. The Seventh Annual...

Seamless transition anticipated at MDA.(Mississippi Development Authority )
December 4, 2006... JACKSON -- There's a change of leadership at the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) with Gov. Haley Barbour's late November announcement that Gray Swoope will become executive director at the end of the year. Swoope, who has been chief...

Economists: state back on track after Hurricane Katrina.
December 4, 2006... The U.S. economy is headed for a "soft landing" with growth expected to be down in 2007, but Mississippi's economy is back on track after being slammed by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Those were the conclusions of speakers on the national...

Feeling like a proud papa because of NEXT success.(Mississippi Business Journal)(Column)
December 4, 2006... Once again. I am so proud of the Mississippi Business Journal organization that I just had to write this somewhat self-serving column. For the third autumn in a row, we have shipped approximately 100,000 copies of NEXT--A Guide to Life After...

Only few short weeks left to shop local, buy Mississippi.(Perspective)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Communities around the Magnolia State go to great lengths this time of year to encourage folks to do their holiday shopping locally. Have you been wandering the mall since the day after Thanksgiving, muttering to yourself and wondering what...

'Community' still alive and well for Americans.(From the Ground Up)
December 4, 2006... Editor's note: This column first ran in the December 24-31, 2001, issue of the Mississippi Business Journal. This past month I have been doing a lot of thinking about the term "community" and what it means. A few years ago I made a...

Mississippi Business Journal poll results.
December 4, 2006... With holiday shopping in full swing, we wondered how MBJ Online readers would be wrapping up their purchases for friends and family this year...

BancorpSouth.(People to Watch)
December 4, 2006... Bill Almon has been promoted to vice president and branch manager of the BancorpSouth's Saltillo location. He has more than 15 years of experience in banking and finance. A native of Saltillo, he holds a bachelor's degree from the University of...

Community Bancshares.(Tony Sims appointed)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Tony Sims has been named vice president-director of advertising for Community Bancshares, the holding company for Community Bank. He is a 1998 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He is a...

Brown Bottling Group.(People to Watch)
December 4, 2006... Brown Bottling Group has named Ryan F. Hood trade development manager in the Brown Vending Company division. A native of Shreveport, La., he holds a business administration degree from Louisiana State University. Hood will be responsible for...

Bobby Weatherly named Callon Petroleum's CFO.(People to Watch)
December 4, 2006... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal NATCHEZ -- Bobby F. Weatherly, CPA, a member of the Callon Petroleum Company board of directors since the company went public 12 years ago, has been named to the new position of executive vice...

FNC takes Collateral Management System to Canadian lenders.(Strictly Business)(contracts)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... OXFORD -- For the first time in its history, FNC Inc. will serve Canadian lenders through an agreement with Toronto-based Teranet Enterprises Inc. Terms were not disclosed. FNC's Collateral Management System (CMS) streamlines mortgage...

First M&F opens Florida branch.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... KOSCIUSKO -- First M&F Corporation's subsidiary, Merchants and Farmers Bank, has opened a de novo branch in Crestview, Fla. The opening marks M&F Bank's entry into the Crestview market. The new branch is the result of the purchase of...

BHA receives assistance.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... BILOXI -- The Biloxi Housing Authority (BHA) has made public the goal of rebuilding or developing more than 1,500 homes with financial assistance from Enterprise Community Partners and Fannie Mae, among others. In Mississippi, Fannie Mae...

Barefield opens Delta facility.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... GREENVILLE -- Barefield Workplace Solutions, also known as Barefield & Company, has opened a new location in this Mississippi Delta city. The 4,000-square-foot location is at 747 West Alexander Street in downtown Greenville, and will serve...

Military construction.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- The U.S. Senate's version of the fiscal year 2007 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill contains more than $74 million for projects impacting Mississippi's military...

Starks awarded contract.(National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded contract to Starks Contracting Company Inc.)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... HANCOCK COUNTY -- NASA has awarded a two-year, $19.04-million contract to Starks Contracting Company Inc. of Biloxi, for construction of a new emergency operation center at John C. Stennis Space Center. The 71,000-square-foot facility will...

Proposals selected.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... HANCOCK COUNTY -- NASA has selected 260 proposals for negotiation of phase one contract awards in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, and 27 proposals for negotiation of phase one contract awards in the Small Business...

Injuries, illnesses rate falls.(Strictly Business)(statistics)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The rate of workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry that required recuperation away from work declined 4% in 2005, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were a total of 1.2 million injuries and...

Abraham named interim VP.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... STARKVILLE -- Jimmy W. Abraham, associate vice president for external affairs at Mississippi State University (MSU), will serve as interim vice president during the university's search to fill the position. Dennis A. Prescott, who has held...

SJF invests in Intechra.(SJF Ventures, Intechra Holding Corp.)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... JACKSON -- SJF Ventures has invested in Intechra Holding Corp., an electronics recycler and information technology asset disposition company, as part of a $6.5-million equity round. The financing provided the equity component for Intechra's...

Fitch affirms Trustmark's ratings.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... JACKSON -- Fitch has affirmed all ratings for Trustmark Corporation and its subsidiary, Trustmark National Bank. The companies' long-term issuer default ratings and short-term ratings were affirmed at "A-" and "F1," respectively. The...

Rehab unit reaccredited.(Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities reaccredited the Forrest General Hospital Rehabilitation Unit )(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... HATTIESBURG -- The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has reaccredited the Forrest General Hospital Rehabilitation Unit for a period of three years for its Inpatient Hospital Rehabilitation Program. This...

MTE scholarships available.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... JACKSON -- Applications are now being accepted for scholarships made possible by major businesses to support the development of Master Teachers of Economics (MTE). Teachers can apply for the available scholarships for the MTE program for a...

Job data released.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- From December 2005 to March 2006, the number of job gains from opening and expanding private sector establishments was 7.6 million, and the number of job losses from closing and contracting establishments was 6.8 million,...

MEF hosts auto executive December 6.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal JACKSON -- On December 6 at its monthly luncheon, the Mississippi Economic Forum will offer as featured speaker Jeff Wood, director of product investment efficiency at the Ford Motor Company. The...

Biz grad students compete.(Strictly Business)
December 4, 2006... HATTIESBURG -- Nine teams of graduate students from the University of Southern Mississippi's College of Business will square off to pitch their plans for start-up businesses to a panel of mock investors in the Second Annual Southern Miss Golden...

Ava Hotel bringing luxury rooms, condominiums to Oxford.
December 4, 2006... OXFORD -- It's not out of the ground yet, but all condominiums at the Ava Hotel have already sold. Developers of the project that's about to get underway near downtown Oxford say it will be a perfect complement to the university town known for...

Momentum Mississippi targets defense industry, tourism and film--and holding workforce training accountable.(Focus)
December 4, 2006... The wheels started spinning at a rapid rate when an industrial Realtor in Greenwood found out that Indiana automotive parts manufacturer Raybestos Products was looking at 14 states for an expansion, and Mississippi was one of them. The...

ROI: 'there is no downside to education,' says state's economist.(Focus)
December 4, 2006... There is no doubt that public education is expensive, taking on average 58% of the budget for the State of Mississippi. But what is less well recognized is the cost to the state and its residents for a high school dropout rate of 40% and low...

Entergy Mississippi launches 'Destination Education'.(Focus)
December 4, 2006... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal JACKSON -- In response to a recent report spotlighting shortfalls in the state's education system, Entergy Mississippi is challenging private business and industry leaders to get on board with its...

Clinton hires first Main Street Program manager: Tara Lytal.(City of Clinton )
December 4, 2006... The City of Clinton didn't have to look far to find its first Main Street manager. Mayor Rosemary Aultman interviewed several candidates for the job, but recommended Clinton resident Tara Lytal. Aldermen appointed Lytal to the position...

White committed to serving Simpson County, making it better.(Brad White of Simpson County Development Foundation )
December 4, 2006... MENDENHALL -- Brad White is still new to professional economic development, but he's definitely committed to contributing all he can to his home county. The 29-year-old became executive director of the Simpson County Development Foundation...

Top 20 new facilities *.(Table)
December 4, 2006... Top 20 New Facilities Facility Location Reunion Madison Renaissance at Colony Park Ridgeland Harbor Walk Ridgeland U.S....

Top 20 expanded facilities *.(Table)
December 4, 2006... Top 20 Expanded Facilities Facility Location Beau Rivage Casino Biloxi Entergy Mississippi McAdams ACCO Brands-Booneville Booneville...

Regional workforce initiative should help rural areas compete.(Economic Development)
December 4, 2006... A regional approach to economic development and workforce readiness is the answer for rural areas to compete in the global marketplace, according to several state and federal agencies. East Mississippi and West Alabama counties located near the...

Barnett, Harrison County have good first year together.(Focus)(dialogue with Larry Barnett form Harrison County Development Commission )(Interview)
December 4, 2006... GULFPORT -- Larry Barnett's first year as executive director of the Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC) has been a busy one indeed. The Biloxi native assumed the position at a crucial time in the county's history. In addition to...

Pros stay wired to keep up with vast amounts of information.(Economic Development)
December 4, 2006... In the fast-paced, competitive world of economic development, busy professionals must keep up with a vast amount of information that's constantly changing. How do they do it? Technology helps, says Britt Herrin, executive director of the...

Public Accounting Report ranks UM undergrad, grad programs in top 25.(Economic Development)
December 4, 2006... OXFORD -- A new national ranking places the University of Mississippi's undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting education in the nations lop 25. The October 30 issue of the Public Accounting Report slots Ole Miss at No. 22 in...

Vaughn-Furlow leads full life with banking, family, antique shop.
December 4, 2006... JACKSON -- There are many facets to Becky Vaughn-Furlow, Trustmark Bank's executive vice president and director of human resources. Her banking career began at a young age and has lasted for 43 years. She's worked in all areas of banking and...

Ready for 401(k) advice at work? Have your questions ready.(management)
December 4, 2006... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal For the last two decades, employees in self-directed retirement plans like 401(k)s have had to largely go it alone for advice on the investment choices offered within the company's plan. A...

Holiday spending: gift cards not always perfect gift.
December 4, 2006... Special to the MBJ STARKVILLE -- Gift cards are gaining on clothing as the most popular gift to give at the holidays, but this seemingly fail-proof present often is not as popular with those who receive them. Consumer Reports found in...

Kawasaki: shedding light on innovation, entrepreneurship.
December 4, 2006... On December 6, attendees of the Mississippi Technology Alliance's Seventh Annual Conference on High Technology will expect to hear innovative, real-world answers to their questions and issues. And, they should get just that from the event's...

Tracking harvest critical to successful deer management.(Outdoor Impact)
December 4, 2006... Trying to manage white-tailed deer may be the original "Mission Impossible." I seriously doubt that either Mr. Phelps or Tom Cruise and the "M.I." team would take on this assignment. On my own 650-acre hunting club in Holmes County, owned...

More Magnolia State consumers seeking fresh Christmas trees.
December 4, 2006... STARKVILLE -- Christmas tree growers are facing a new and welcomed challenge in the coming years: keeping up with the increasing demand for their fresh products. Steve Dicke, forestry specialist with Mississippi State University's...

Mississippi Business events.(Calendar)
December 4, 2006... Monday, December 4 * The University of Southern Mississippi Symphonic Winds concert band will present a special presentation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium. The concert will feature...

If you think the word 'objection' still in sales, think again.(Sales Moves)
December 4, 2006... Context not available due to copyright restrictions.

'Meaningful' environment underpins 'Green House' care: born in Tupelo, elder care model advancing elsewhere.
December 11, 2006... TUPELO -- This North Mississippi city, known around the world as the birthplace of Elvis, is also the birthplace of an innovative way of caregiving for elders, the "Green House" model. Mississippi Methodist Senior Services (MMSS) built the...

Mobile and wireless internet leaves users free to roam.
December 11, 2006... BRUCE -- Hometown high-tech is a critical tool in today's hyperspeed economy. Taking wireless Internet service on the go is one of those valuable tools that helps businesses compete no matter where they are. Waller Internet is now offering that...

SBA proposal sparks differences of opinion.
December 11, 2006... After Hurricane Katrina, Parker Plumbing in Ocean Springs was able to secure some small contracts to do work at FEMA trailer parks. But when it came to larger contracts, Parker Plumbing and other local small businesses were left out in the...

With party season in full swing, Book the Band busy.(Couch and Associates Inc. )(Company overview)
December 11, 2006... JACKSON -- Nothing gets a party started like music. Whether it's a piano player tickling the ivories with a little background music, or a full band playing dance favorites, live entertainment is the easiest way to establish an event as fun or...

Drivers can support afterschool programs.
December 11, 2006... MERIDIAN -- Mississippi drivers can now support afterschool programs in their communities by simply upgrading their car tags. Peavey Electronics Corporation and the Mississippi Afterschool Alliance have helped Mississippi become the first...

Don't delay: smart tax planning starts now.(As I See It)
December 11, 2006... It was my privilege to have served as a tax advisor for some three decades. Though I am retired from the tax consulting business, this time of year always reminds me of the hustle and bustle of trying to make clients' tax problems disappear...

Mississippi Secretary of State's Office.(People to Watch)(Linda Dixon Rigsby appointed as Assistant Secretary of State for Elections)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Secretary of State Eric Clark has appointed Linda Dixon Rigsby as Assistant Secretary of State for Elections. A graduate of Southern University at New Orleans, she holds a law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law and has worked for...

Harrah's Entertainment.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... Harrah's Entertainment has promoted Rob Brown to regional director of purchasing for Grand Casino Resort, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel and Sheraton Casino & Hotel in Tunica. He will be responsible for more than $250 million of regional purchasing...

AXA Advisors.(People to Watch)(Doug Thompson has joined the firm)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Louisville resident Doug Thompson has joined AXA Advisors, LLC, as a financial professional. As a financial professional with the firm, he will work with individuals and business owners to help them define their financial goals and create...

Community Bank of Mississippi.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... Community Bank has promoted Gage Walker to senior vice president. He is a Columbia native and a 1998 graduate of Belhaven College with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is also a graduate of the Mississippi School of Banking....

Kerioth Corporation.(People to Watch)(Michael N. Waltman is promoted to vice president of operations and facilities )(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Michael N. Waltman, recently promoted to vice president of operations and facilities for Kerioth in Jackson, has earned the Certified Property Manager, or CPM, designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management, an affiliate of the...

BellSouth.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... BellSouth's regulatory and external affairs department recently announced the following changes within its organization: Bill Harris is the company's new director of public policy. Harris serves as the company's liaison with the Mississippi...

Firm recognizes students' artistic talent.(Special to the Mississippi Business Journal)(Watkins Ludlam Winter and Stennis)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A., marketing director Shawn McGregor recently presented award certificates and art supply gift cards to winners of the firm's Holiday Card Decorating Contest. The law firm is a partner of Power APAC...

DiscoverOurTown.com.(People to Watch)(promoted Eric Coulter, Elayne Amble, and Marsha Rhodes)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Eric Coulter has been promoted to national sales manager for Vicksburg-based DiscoverOurTown.com. He leads the sales team for DOT and has been the leading salesperson for 12 consecutive months. Elayne Amble has been promoted to general...

Merchants & Planters Bank.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... Carla Moncure has been named commercial-residential real estate para lender at the Clinton branch of Raymond-based Merchants & Planters Bank. A graduate of Hinds Community College and Mississippi College, she has several years of banking...

Hancock Bank.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... Gov. Haley Barbour recently appointed Gulfport resident Leslie Ryland North, MAI, to the Mississippi Real Estate Licensing and Certification Board. North, the senior vice president who manages Hancock Bank's appraisal division throughout the...

Crye-Leike, Realtors.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... Crye-Leike announces the addition of associate Elaine House to the firm's Ridgeland branch office. The Madison resident specializes in residential and first-time homebuyer real estate services, and is a member of the National, Mississippi and...

Brunini, Grantham, Grower and Hewes.(People to Watch)(its member David Kaufman named Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Brunini, Grantham, Grower and Hewes announces that David Kaufman, a member in its litigation practice group, has been named by Lawdragon to the publication's Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America. The guide is comprised of private lawyers...

Mississippi School Boards Association.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... Columbus businesswoman Julie Jordan is the new vice president of the Mississippi School Boards Association. A member of the Columbus School District Board of Trustees since March 2000, she is currently the owner of four Sylvan Learning Centers...

Southern Economic Development Council.(People to Watch)
December 11, 2006... The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) announces that Sandy Holifield will serve a two-year term as the new Mississippi state director on the SEDC board. Holifield is economic development director for the Economic Development...

Southaven has plans to 'unwire' the city.(Magnolia Wave to provide Wi-Fi mesh network to the city)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... SOUTHAVEN -- The City of Southaven has unveiled plans to "unwire" the entire 36 square miles of the city with a metro-scale, Wi-Fi mesh network to provide its residents with high-quality, wireless broadband Internet access service owned and run...

Mississippi events business.
December 11, 2006... Monday, December 11 * "Jewels of the Sea: Walter Anderson's Aquatica" is now on display at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, and will run through May 13, 2007. Museum admission is $5 for adults (18 and older), $4 for senior...

Healthcare associations outline legislative agendas for 2007.
December 11, 2006... JACKSON -- When the 2007 session of the Mississippi Legislature convenes next month, two of the state's leading healthcare organizations will be ready for them. The Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) and the Mississippi State Medical...

Wesley Medical Center presents $50,000 to William Carey's Fail School of Nursing.
December 11, 2006... Wesley Medical Center officials presented a check, at weekly chapel recently, in the amount of $50,000 to William Carey University Fall School of Nursing to establish an endowment for nursing scholarships. Pictured from left to right are Holt...

Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award goes to NMMC.(North Mississippi Medical Center )
December 11, 2006... TUPELO -- Just a few years ago, North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC) faced a barrage of criticism from groups ranging from community residents to patients to state legislators, with many questioning whether the hospital had veered from its...

Rod Moring embraces change and variety in career, life.
December 11, 2006... ELLISVILLE -- Rod Moring, M.D., was looking for a change of pace when he took a position with the Ellisville State School two years ago. Change and variety are two things readily embraced by the Mobile, Ala., native who began his medical career...

New University Hospital designed for comfort, efficiency.
December 11, 2006... JACKSON -- When the new University Hospital on the campus of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) was designed, the needs of both the hospital's patients and staff were considered. Now, UMC believes it has a facility that caters...

Medical clinics inside retail stores opening in state.
December 11, 2006... Before long it may be routine to get a flu shot, a strep throat culture or other medical procedures while picking up a loaf of bread or shopping for new jeans. In-store clinics are the latest trend in healthcare and a possible solution for...

NMHO will triple space with $10-million renovation project.(North Mississippi Hematology and Oncology Associates)
December 11, 2006... TUPELO -- The current building project of one of Tupelo's premiere healthcare facilities will triple the clinic's space, offer better care for patients and give an economic injection to an area of town needing a boost. North Mississippi...

Sethi, clinic striving to meet all of families' medical needs.(Manisha Sethi)(Interview)
December 11, 2006... RIDGELAND -- There's a medical clinic in Ridgeland that strives to serve the whole family from birth to old age. It's Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates of Ridgeland and is the brainchild of a young physician who's just barely 30 years...

Arbitration agreements emerging trend in Mississippi.(In Focus)
December 11, 2006... Physicians and other healthcare providers are constantly searching for ways to manage risk (and more important, costs) when it comes to defending medical malpractice claims related to the care and treatment provided at their facilities. One of...

Keeping clients up to date on changing industry regulations.
December 11, 2006... RIDGELAND -- Legal issues are common in healthcare and attorneys must get involved for many of these complex situations to be resolved. The law firm of Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush has a group of eight attorneys representing healthcare...

Exercise and plan ahead to avoid gaining weight during the holidays.
December 11, 2006... It is popularly believed that the average American gains five to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. The National Institute of Health says a new study suggests that the average American gains only about a pound during the winter...

Fitness centers.(Directory)
December 11, 2006... Fitness Center Address Special Features Baldwyn Wellness Center 920 N. 4th St., Ste. A, Baldwyn, MS 38824 Indoor track, Cybex strength training equipment, free weights,...

Physical rehabilitation centers.(Directory)
December 11, 2006... Company Name Top Officer(s) Address Telephone * FAX Methodist Rehabilitation Center Mark Adams 1350 E. Woodrow Wilson (601)...

Unemployment dips in Mississippi.(Strictly Business)
December 11, 2006... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES), Mississippi's unemployment rate in October was 6.6%, down slightly from the 6.8% rate reported in September 2006. Wayne Gasson, chief of labor...