The Mississippi Business Journal articles from February 2004

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from February 2004

Fortune 500 company chooses Greenville.(Textron Fastening Systems)
February 2, 2004... GREENVILLE -- In only his second week on the job, Gov. Haley Barbour announced a major coup for the state: Textron Fastening Systems, a $1.65-billion business unit of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), is coming to Mississippi. Better yet, the maker of...

Forecaster dispels election, market misconceptions.(Stacey L. Wall)
February 2, 2004... In 2004, investors should see a year of strong economic growth with mild inflationary pressure, creating an environment conducive to a continued stock market uptrend and sub-par bond market performance, said investment planner Stacey L. Wall,...

Becoming the next 'miracle state': economist Barry Asmus shares predictions.
February 2, 2004... TUPELO -- More than 500 business leaders gathered at the Ramada Convention Center in Tupelo Jan. 22 to hear national economist Barry Asmus predict the future. Asmus, senior economist of the National Center for Policy Analysis, told the...

Buying into the 'bold new city'.(Perspective)
February 2, 2004... The City of Jackson, as Mississippi's capital, is important to the entire state. As the center of government, and home to leading healthcare and medical research facilities, diverse educational offerings, art and cultural institutions, as we[1...

Thanks for EXPO.(Perspective)
February 2, 2004... In late January, the MBJ hosted the 21st-annual Mississippi Business & Technology EXPO in Jackson. This year's event was the biggest and most successful ever. Our initial feedback from attendees and exhibitors has been very positive and...

Connely Plunkett vital member of the MBJ family.(As I See It)(Obituary)
February 2, 2004... Several years ago I was in the ditch. I had suffered some business and personal setbacks and was limping through a real low point in my life. My business had been unprofitable and the future was iffy. A group of investors had shown an interest...

Trip to Woodville forms impressive impression.(From the Ground Up)(Column)
February 2, 2004... My impression of Woodville has changed. It is probably more accurate to say that my impression has been formed. Previously, I thought service stations; now I think historic community. The cause of this change in perception was Woodville's...

Southern Eye Center.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Francis Soans, M.D., has been appointed chief of glaucoma at Southern Eye Center in Hattiesburg. Soans comes to Hattiesburg after completing his residency at UMDNJ/Cooper Hospital, Camden, and Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He then...

Community Bank.(People to Watch)(appointment)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Community Bank bas promoted Carolyn Lott of Hillsboro to operations officer. Lott has been with the bank for 15 years. She is a graduate of Forest High School and East Central Community College. Ken Purvis has joined the Southaven office as...

The Nature Conservancy.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi welcomed Susan Hollandsworth as the director of philanthropy. Hollandsworth comes to the Conservancy with extensive fund-raising experience from the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation. She is a...

River Oaks Health System.(People to Watch)(appointments at Health Management Associates Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Bill Williams of Brandon has been selected as the Chief Financial Officer of the Year for 2003 by Health Management Associates Inc. (HMA) for an unprecedented third consecutive year. Williams has served as CFO of River Oaks Health System since...

Pickett, Bradford & Associates, P.A.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... George B. Pickett Jr., J.D., CLU, a principal at Pickett, Bradford & Associates, P.A., in Jackson, was in Jamaica with the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) recently to help donate 600 wheelchairs to people in need. Pickett is president of the...

Mississippi State University (MSU).(People to Watch)(promotions)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... MSU Extension Service director Joe McGilberry has been named as the executive director for University Extension and Outreach. McGilberry bas been director of the Extension Service since 2001. He bas worked with Extension economic development...

Julie Grantham was awarded the Senior Professional of the Year Award for 2003, and Robby Channell was named the Junior Professional of the Year by the Mississippi Hospital Association's Society for Health Care Marketing & Public Relations.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Julie Grantham was awarded the Senior Professional of the Year Award for 2003, and Robby Channell was named the Junior Professional of the Year by the Mississippi Hospital Association's Society for Health Care Marketing & Public Relations....

Derek Holmes, vice president and general manager of IKON Office Solutions, accepts congratulations from Peggy Dykes, Eagle Ridge Conference Center director, for the free meeting space awarded to the company at the Hinds Community College training facility.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Derek Holmes, vice president and general manager of IKON Office Solutions, accepts congratulations from Peggy Dykes, Eagle Ridge Conference Center director, for the free meeting space awarded to the company at the Hinds Community College...

Burns Cooley Dennis Inc.(People to Watch)(promotions)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Randy Ahlrich, Ph.D., PE., and Tommy Dunlap, PE., R.P.G., have recently become principals of Burns Cooley Dennis Inc. Ahlrich has been with the firm for seven years. He is a geotechnical and pavements engineer and serves as manager of the...

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Cos.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Derrel Palmer, CLU, LUTCF, has been appointed district sales manager for The Mutual of Omaha Insurance Companies covering the Central Mississippi area. Palmer has been in the insurance and financial services industry for over 20 years.

Horne CPA Group.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Bryan C. McDonald, CPA, CIRE, CVA, has joined Home CPA Group as a shareholder. He will practice with the firm's valuation and litigation services group.

Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals Inc.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Kevin Prince has joined Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals in Madison as a sales professional. Prince received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Memorial Hospital.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Memorial Hospital in Gulfport recently recognized Regina Floyd as the 2003 Employee of the Year. Floyd has worked in Memorial's medical division since Floyd 1981 as an information associate. She resides in Gulfport, where she has lived for 24...

CPCU.(People to Watch)(Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... The Mississippi Magnolia Chapter of the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Society recently elected chapter leaders for 20032004. John Noel of Davis & Goulet Insurance Agency was elected president. Other officers are Michael Girten,...

Cherrybark Flooring.(People to Watch)(appointments at Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... The Memphis-based NOFMA, the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association, recently elected John Clark of Cherrybark Flooring in Hazlehurst to serve as vice president. Also elected to the education/ environmental affairs committee was Jonathan...

State Bank & Trust Company.(People to Watch)(appointment)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Kirk A. Graves has been elected to the board of directors of State Bank & Trust. Graves, chief financial officer and comptroller for State Bank headquartered in Greenwood, is a Natchez native and received both a bachelor of business...

UP-Regions deal: 15 states, $56 billion in deposits and 1,400 branches.(Strictly Business)(Regions Financial Corp.)(Union Planters Corp.)
February 2, 2004... MEMPHIS, TENN. -- Regions Financial Corporation of Birmingham, Ala., and Union Planters Corporation (UP) have signed a definitive merger agreement, creating the 12th largest bank holding company nationwide in terms of deposits. Upon completion...

FTI has new name, making acquisition.(Strictly Business)(Financial Technologies Inc. becomes NetBank Payment Systems)(Electronic Cash Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... JACKSON -- According to its parent company, NetBank Inc., Financial Technologies Inc. has changed its name to NetBank Payment Systems Inc. The company also announced that NetBank Payment Systems has reached a definitive agreement to acquire...

New surgery facility opening.(Strictly Business)(South Mississippi Surgery Center, a surgical facility located on the campus of Wesley Medical Center, is preparing to open)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... HATTIESBURG -- South Mississippi Surgery Center, a freestanding surgical facility located on the campus of Wesley Medical Center, is preparing to open. The center is expected to see its first patients sometime this month. The center is...

PEER reviews tourism.
February 2, 2004... JACKSON -- In response to questions by legislators concerning the collection and expenditure of tourism-related tax revenue by local tourism commissions, the PEER Committee has reviewed the effectiveness of Mississippi's local tourism...

First Infiniti rolls off line.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... CANTON -- The first Infiniti built in North America, a new QX56 sport utility vehicle, came Off the assembly line at Nissan-Canton Jan. 20. An employee-only celebration was held to commemorate the occasion. The QX56 represents the fifth...

Manufacturing pay increased.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... JACKSON -- Despite the loss of manufacturing job in Mississippi, wages within the state's manufacturing sector increased over the last three years, according to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission (MESC). Since November 2000,...

Stirling gets North Shore contract.(Strictly Business)(PGM Properties LLC)(Stirling Properties)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... BRANDON -- Stirling Properties will oversee the management and leasing of PGM Properties, LLC's, latest shopping center venture, North Shore Crossing. The new development will be located at the intersection .of Spillway and Old Fannin...

PRCC sets enrolment record.(Strictly Business)(Pearl River Community College)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... POPLARVILLE -- Pearl River Community College's (PRCC's) 2004 spring semester enrollment is the largest in the college's 93-year history, according to school officials. Through the end of late registration, spring enrollment totalled 3,565...

Franklin Center officially opens.(Strictly Business)(Franklin Center for Furniture Manufacturing and Management)
February 2, 2004... STARKVILLE -- State officials and Mississippi State University (MSU) officers gathered Jan. 23 to officially open the Franklin Center for Furniture Manufacturing and Management. The center is an advanced technology facility for furniture...

Restaurateurs franchising.(Strictly Business)(Sweet Peppers Deli Franchise Systems LLC)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI -- Sweet Peppers Deli Franchise Systems, LLC, has made public plans to franchise the Sweet Peppers Deli concept. With two locations in Columbus and Tupelo and the recently opened Sweet Peppers Deli Express, also in Tupelo,...

Community Bank has banner year.(Strictly Business)(Community Bancshares of Mississippi Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... BRANDON -- According to Community Bancshares of Mississippi Inc., the holding company for Community Bank, it enjoyed its best year ever in 2003. Net income increased from $10.1 million last year to more than $11.2 million in 2003. Assets...

The Peoples reports record results.(Strictly Business)(Peoples Holding Co.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... TUPELO -- According to the Peoples Holding Company (AMEX: PHC), it had a record year in 2003. The Peoples Holding Company is the parent company of The Peoples Bank & Trust Company. Diluted earnings per share increased 4.78% to $2.19 for the...

D&PL increases dividend.(Strictly Business)(Delta and Pine Land Company)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... SCOTT -- The board of directors of Delta and Pine Land Company (NYSE: DLP) (D&PL) has declared a dividend of 12 cents per share, representing a 20% increase over the first quarter dividend. D&PL has increased its quarterly dividend by 100% from...

Keesler Federal recognized.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... BILOXI -- Bauer Financial Inc. has awarded a superior rating to Keesler Federal Credit Union. Keesler Federal has now received a five-star rating every year since 1990. In addition to the superior rating, Keesler Federal also received an...

Port Symposium speakers set.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... GULFPORT -- The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) International Port School (IPS), located on USM's Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, has set its slate Of speakers for the upcoming fourth-annual Port Symposium. This year's event, "Ports...

Ship Systems christens destroyer.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... PASCAGOULA -- More than 1,000 guests attended the recent christening of the Aegis guided missile destroyer Halsey (DDG 97) at Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Ship Systems sector. Of 28 ships under contract to Ship Systems, Halsey is...

JH&H consolidates offices.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... JACKSON -- JH&H Architects Planners Interiors has relocated its offices to 3760 I-55 North. The new JH&H office location combines the 745 North State Street/Jackson Office and the 406 Orchard Park/Ridgeland Offices. JH&H completed...

Triton earns certification.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... LONG BEACH -- Triton has received EMV Level II certification for Triton's 9100, 9600, and 9700 model ATMs. EMV certification is awarded by EMVCo, a joint venture established by Europay, MasterCard International, and Visa International to govern...

Wood planking company expands to Northwest Mississippi.
February 2, 2004... OLIVE BRANCH -- Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Gulf Islands National Seashore, most arriving after a trip across the Mississippi Sound on the Ship Island ferry. When the boat unloads the beach goers, most walk across the...

Wages outpaced prices.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Median weekly earnings of the nation's 100.4 million full-time wage and salary workers were $625 in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was 2% higher than a year earlier, compared with a...

Male nurses calendar released.(Strictly Business)(Mississippi Hospital Association has created a 2004 calendar of Mississippi men in the field of nursing)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... JACKSON -- The Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) Health Careers Center has created a 2004 calendar of Mississippi men in the field of nursing. The calendars will be distributed to schools as part of a health careers recruitment information...

Land availability, location, natural resources drive growth.
February 2, 2004... WIGGINS -- Driving between Hattiesburg and the Coast on U.S. 49, Wiggins used to be a "blink and you miss it" kind of town. There wasn't even a stoplight to slow you down. But now you can't miss the growth of the county seat of Stone...

Succession planning vital to protect business, partners, family.(Focus Insurance & Employee Benefits)
February 2, 2004... It is something no one likes to think about, their own mortality. Business owners are no exception. But when business owners or principals fail to plan for the orderly succession of their business, the results can be devastating to the...

Most Mississippians prefer old-fashioned paycheck.(focus insurance & employee benefits)
February 2, 2004... Even though more employers nationwide are opting to pay their staff by debit card or direct deposit, most employees in Mississippi are receiving their money the traditional way: an old-fashioned paycheck. "Most people, particularly...

Small businesses consider benefits of ChamberPlus insurance: coverage costs and availability remain critical issues for many.(focus insurance & employee benefits)
February 2, 2004... JACKSON -- The affordability and availability of health insurance for employees consistently ranks as one of the top concerns of small business. One way many small businesses in Mississippi are dealing with the problem is purchasing insurance...

Walking a fine line on liability: businesses seek to limit exposure.(focus insurance & employee benefits)
February 2, 2004... A company contracted a temporary staffing service to hire a receptionist. While on the job, she was asked to deliver and pick up legal briefs, errands the staffing service was not aware of. When she was involved in a car accident on the job, a...

Adding bite to the compulsory auto insurance law.(focus insurance & employee benefits)
February 2, 2004... With Mark Formby (R-Picayune) taking over as chairman of the House Insurance Committee, the compulsory auto insurance law may get some teeth. Last month, new House Speaker Billy McCoy (D-Rienzi) picked Formby, a 12-year committee member,...

Independent insurance agencies.(Directory)(Illustration)
February 2, 2004... Independent Insurance Agencies Name, Year Founded Top Officer, Title Address Phone Number/Fax Stewart Sneed Hewes/ John B. Sneed, President/CEO BancorpSouth,...

Life insurance for business owners an important safeguard.(focus insurance & employee benefits)
February 2, 2004... Most parents know the value of a life insurance policy to make sure their children are taken care of in case something happens. Businesses can have hundreds of employees dependent on them. So business owners may want to consider a life...

Wilson packing bags for more to Cajun Country: MDA tourism chief lands plum tourism job in Louisiana.(backstage pass)(Mississippi Development Authority)(Darienne Wilson )(Column)
February 2, 2004... Backstage Pas When Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) tourism director Darienne Wilson resigned Jan. 22 to take over as tourism director for the State of Louisiana, plenty of eyebrows were raised in the halls of the Woolfolk Building...

Letting the good times roll on the Bayou.(assistant secretary of the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Darienne Wilson)(Interview)
February 2, 2004... The Mississippi Business Journal caught up with Darienne Wilson for a brief Q&A session as she was packing up to more to Baton Rouge, where she will start her new role as assistant secretary of the Louisiana Office of Tourism on Feb. 9. ...

Daily flights at risk if legislation passes through Congress.
February 2, 2004... The daily flights at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Airport that people in Jones, Forrest, Lamar and neighboring countries have taken for granted for the past 30 years may be jeopardized by the language in a bill now making its way through Congress....

Filings indicate mass layoffs decline in 2003.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... Employers initiated 1,929 mass layoff actions in December 2003, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Each action involved at least 50...

The Nissan effect? Not really, even though Mississippi manufacturing jobs are down, wages up.
February 9, 2004... The number of manufacturing jobs in Mississippi is down, and manufacturing wages are up. But it isn't because Nissan North America is paying higher than average wages. "I don't think we're seeing a Nissan effect," said state economist Phil...

Volatile prices challenging producers, manufacturers: natural gas prices up 20% to 30% from last year.
February 9, 2004... Mississippi manufacturers who use natural gas to fuel production processes are getting hit twice from the impact of high natural gas prices. With natural gas prices up an average of 20% to 30% over a year ago, manufacturers are not only paying...

Contractor-federal government dispute stalls Lake Okhissa project: Parker says poor design poses public safety risk.(John H. Parker)
February 9, 2004... In 1999, Franklin County was promised a 1,050-acre man-made lake that would make the area a vacation destination with a marina, fishing and boating, cabins, a lodge and conference center. Five years later, Lake Okhissa stands empty,...

Good moves.(Perspective)(Mississippi Development Authority)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Good things are happening at the Mississippi Development Authority. The naming of executive director Leland Speed several weeks ago was followed last Monday with the announcement of a new MDA management team. All three members of the...

Post 9/11 travel is different, but not that bad.(As I See It)(Column)
February 9, 2004... It all started innocently enough. Wife Debra and I were in Miami last week attending our newspaper publishers association annual meeting. Good meeting. Now, it's time to go home. Things began unraveling at the Miami airport. We used the...

Bank mergers: more disciplined and realistic?(Banking Today)(Bank One)
February 9, 2004... Throughout the 1990s, big-bank mergers captured media headlines with their eye-popping premiums and flashy promises. "National" franchises would be created with "synergies," "efficiencies," "state-of-the-art conveniences" and "seamless...

Mississippi Blood Services (MBS).(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Tammy Bouchillon of Brandon has been named manager of donor resources at MBS. Bouchillon has been employed with MBS for 17 years as a marketing representative. Wendy Hardin Copeland of Clinton has been named communications and public relations...

G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery V.A. Medical Center.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Rebecca Wiley, R.N., has been named associate director of the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, effective Feb. 15. Since March. Wiley has worked on a special assignment as deputy Wiley director for strategic planning for VA's Capital...

The Mississippi Women's Conference steering committee for 2004 gathered for a meeting in the Governor's Mansion to plan the March 8 conference.(People to Watch)
February 9, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Mississippi Women's Conference steering committee for 2004 gathered for a meeting in the Governor's Mansion to plan the March 8 conference. Pictured are (l-r): Alene Gore Thornton, Vicksburg; Patsy D. Clark,...

Woman's Hospital.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Mark Kaldahl, supervisor of plant operations at Woman's Hospital in Flowood, recently received his doctorate degree in health and safety from Indiana University. Kaldahl is a summa cure laude graduate of Jackson State University and received a...

Hancock Bank.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Hancock Bank recently promoted several staff members to assistant vice president. They include Stephen S. O'Mara, private banker; Nancy Perkins, a Hancock Mortgage Corp. mortgage originator; Sam Pressley, product manager for the company's...

Imperial Palace.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Stherfia Barnes, a sous chef at the Imperial Palace, won Supervisor of the Month for December. She has been employed with the Imperial Palace since July 1999. Carol Burns, a bartender, won Front of the House Employee of the Month. She has been...

Grand Casino Tunica.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Grand Casino Tunica has named Sherly Vargheese as executive housekeeper. Vargheese joined the Park Place Entertainment family in 1998. She previously worked as hotel/casino housekeeping manager with Sheraton Casino, assistant executive...

The Children's Clinic.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Jeffrey C. Williams, M.D., a pediatrician with The Children's Clinic, a service of Hattiesburg Clinic, has successfully completed the requirements for recertification as a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics. Williams received his...

Hazclean Environment Consultants Inc.(People to Watch)(Qualified Environmental Professional )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... William F. (Bill) Garvin of HAZCLEAN has earned his Certified Industrial Hygienist credential. Garvin is a registered Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) with a master's degree in hydrology and management.

Pro bono.(People to Watch)(Rusty Russell's pro bono work. )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Adams and Reese partner Rusty Russell (r) was recently recognized for his outstanding pro bono work through the firm's CA&RE (Caring Adams and Reese Employees) program. Russell serves as counsel to Metro Jackson CrimeStoppers. He serves as...

Phelps Dunbar, LLP.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Phelps Dunbar has elected two attorneys in the Jackson office to the partnership. Joseph Lee Adams is a partner in the labor and employment practice group. Adams received his law degree from the University of Mississippi (UM) in 1997. He...

Stewart Sneed Hewes/BancorpSouth Insurance.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Chris Miles has joined Stewart Sneed Hewes/BancorpSouth Insurance as a marketing representative. Miles joined the firm with eight years of experience in direct sales and marketing and in insurance service. A native of Hattiesburg, Miles...

Missisippi Technology Alliance.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Sandra Massey has been hired as the director of affiliate services for the Mississippi Technology Alliance and marketing director for Pointe Innovation magazine. Massey has worked with several statewide membership-based organizations. She is a...

Koeber Turner, PLLC.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... David Kostmayer, CPA, CVA, MTA, has earned the title Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Kostmayer is a senior tax manager with Koerber Turner, PLLC. He holds a master of tax...

Abbott, Simses & Kuchler.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Rhea Hudson Sheldon has joined the Abbott, Simses & Kuchler Jackson office as an associate. She received her J.D. from the Sheldon University of Mississippi (UM) School of Law in 2002. Keith L. Gates has joined the Jackson office as an...

SouthTrust Bank.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Pete Moran Jr. has joined the commercial lending team of SouthTrust Bank, South Mississippi, as vice president and commercial relationship manager. His main emphasis will be in commercial lending, real estate development and community...

McElroy, Ward & Associates Architects.(People to Watch)(William L. McElroy )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... McElroy, Ward & Associates Architects in Jackson is one of nine recipients of the U.S. Small Business Administration Southeast region's 2003 District Director Choice Awards. William L. McElroy started his firm in 1995 and has been involved in...

Grantham-Poole.(People to Watch)(Certified Valuation Analyst)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Charles P. Rafferty, CPA, CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), has successfully completed the certification process with the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) to earn his designation of Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)....

Fox-Everett.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Taylor Burwell has joined Fox-Everett as an account executive. Prior to coming to Fox-Everett, Burwell served as an account executive with another commercial insurance agency. He received a Burwell bachelor's degree in business from the...

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Hugh Parker was recently honored with the National Boys & Girls Club Medallion. The award is given to those who have rendered unusually devoted service to the club over a consider able period of time. Parker is president of Home CPA Group.

Delta Administration & Consulting Inc.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Harry Vickery and John Causey, both of Jackson, have been named Certified WorkComp Advisors (CWCA). Vickery and Causey are partners of Delta Administration & Consulting, headquartered in Jackson. They are the only people in Mississippi with the...

Wireless Retail opens distribution center in Southaven.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... SOUTHAVEN -- To accommodate the company's rapid growth, Wireless Retail Inc. (WRI) of Scottsdale, Ariz., has officially opened of its new national distribution center (NDC) in this DeSoto County community. The 175,000-square-foot center will...