The Mississippi Business Journal articles from February 2006

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from February 2006

Waiting for more indictments?
February 6, 2006... Now that Richard N. Hall Jr. is headed to prison for his part in the beef processing plant failure, some folks in Yalobusha County think other indictments will come in the economic development failure that cost state taxpayers $55 million. ...

Knowledge of culture essential to success overseas.
February 6, 2006... Obviously, those wanting to conduct business overseas need a good grounding in business and language skills before they embark. However, an understanding of an area's culture, it's etiquette and protocol required, even religion, can be just as...

Financial independence worth short-term sacrifices.(As I See It)
February 6, 2006... I saw a recent news blurb that indicted the mortgage industry is now considering 50-year home mortgages. How ludicrous can you get? Would any sane 30-year-old really sign a mortgage that won't be paid until he's 80? I suppose there must be some...

There's economic development, and then there's the beef plant.(Perspective)
February 6, 2006... News of the indictment--and plea deal--of a central character in the Mississippi Beef Processors project received a mixed reaction in the state's business community last week. Many are not surprised that Richard N. Hall Jr. is going to...

Want a better business? Invest in SWOTing.(From the Ground Up)
February 6, 2006... Organizations that go through the strategic planning process typically engage in what is known as SWOT analysis. SWOT is the acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. In this column we will discuss analysis of weaknesses...

Copeland, Cook Taylor and Bush, P.A.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Copeland, Cook, Taylor and Bush, P.A., law firm announced that Ray McNamara, who practices in the areas of product liability and medical malpractice defense, has been elected managing shareholder of the firm. McNamara, who has been a trial...

Kessler Federal Credit Union.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Kim Balch, CPA, and Joel Gregory completed National Association of Federal Credit Unions' (NAFCU) Management Development Institute held at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. Balch has been with Keesler since 2002 as the accounting...

First State Bank.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Danny Moore has been promoted to president of the Lucedale Banking Center of First State Bank. A native of George County, Moore graduated from the Mississippi School of Banking at Ole Miss and the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU....

Congressman Chip Pickering's office.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Congressman Chip Pickering announces the addition of Meg Daughdrill as staff assistant in his Washington, D.C., office. Daughdrill, a Jackson native, is a 2005 graduate of Vanderbilt University. Daughdrill comes to the office with previous...

Mississippi Public Broadcasting.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... John Lanford joined Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) as chief videographer. A returning employee of MPB, Lanford's work from 1992 through 1995 still airs today on "Classic Roads" and classic "Mississippi Outdoors" broadcasts. Between 1995...

North Mississippi State Hospital.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... North Mississippi State Hospital (NMSH) director Paul A. Callens was awarded the Bradley A. Sanders Leadership Award at the 24th Annual Mental Health/ Mental Retardation Conference in Philadelphia, Miss. Callens has been NMSH director since...

Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.(People to Watch)(Roy Estess been appointed)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Gov. Haley Barbour announced the appointment of Roy Estess of Carriere to fill an unexpired term on the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). Estess will replace Roy Klumb, who resigned last December....

Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... The Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals welcomed new board members and officers at its January meeting. Serving the organization for 2006 are Linda Montgomery, CFRE, president of the Community Foundation of...

JBHM Architects.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Michael Grey Jones, AIA, partner of JBHM Architects, has been appointed as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 150 Champion for the State of Mississippi, and is one of 250 AIA150 Champions. Jones will help implement the organizations...

The USA International Ballet Competition.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) has hired Katy Smith, Danielle Horochowski, Brent Lefavor and Lauren Morris in preparation for the upcoming competition June 17 through July 2, 2006. Smith is the assistant to the artistic...

ECCC and MBCI partnership.(East Central Community College)(Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... East Central Community College president Dr. Phil A. Sutphin (seated left) signs a multi-year lease with Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) Chief Phillip Martin to operate the 9,600-square-foot facility, which is located in a section of...

Junior League of Jackson.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Mississippi artist Wyatt Waters will illustrate the Junior League of Jackson's book, "The Year of the Stars," which is tailored for children of all ages. The League will introduce the book at its holiday shopping event, Mistletoe Marketplace...

Weyerhaeuser Company.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Gerald Cooper is the new unit manager of Weyerhaeuser Company's McComb lumber operation. Cooper, an experienced manager in forest products who has worked at Weyerhaeuser's other lumber operations in Mississippi, replaces Doug Robinson, who is...

Guaranty Bank and Trust.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Pratt Lewis has been promoted to vice president of Guaranty Bank and Trust in Greenville. Lewis, a Greenville native, graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., and received his MBA from Millsaps College.

Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges.(People to Watch)(Patricia R. Dickens been appointed)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... After being appointed recently by Gov. Haley Barbour, Patricia R. Dickens, a long-time resident of Natchez, will serve as a board member on the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges (SBCJC). Dickens replaces Patricia Randall...

Cadence Regional Bank.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Chuck Caldwell has joined Cadence Regional Bank in Columbus as assistant vice president of commercial banking. Caldwell received his BBA from the University of Mississippi. He has held positions as collection manager for Personal Finance...

Synergetics DCS Inc.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Nate Hewett, Synergetics network engineer, has successfully completed the CISCO Design Associate (CCDA) Certification. This certification signifies Hewett's knowledge of CISCO solutions in designing and implementing scalable Internetworks.

Mississippi Blood Services.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Gulam Patel of Madison has been promoted to manager of information services at Mississippi Blood Services (MBS). Patel has been employed with MBS for four years. He received a B.S. from the University of Bombay and received his Microsoft...

Wachovia Bank.(People to Watch)
February 6, 2006... Michael Slay has been named vice president and community banker for Wachovia in Hattiesburg. Slay has more than 11 years of experience in the financial services industry and most recently served as assistant vice president with Trustmark...

Two Meridian institutions.(People to Watch)(Meridian Community College and Rush Health Systems get award from Community College Futures Assembly)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Meridian Community College (MCC) and Rush Health Systems--were winners in the Bellwether Award presented by the 2006 Community College Futures Assembly in Orlando, Fla. The award was won in the workforce development category, which showed...

Jobless numbers indicate Katrina still affecting workforce.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... Mississippi's unemployment rate in December was 9.3%, down slightly from last month's revised rate of 9.4% but up from November's preliminary 8.8% estimate, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). The...

Freddie Mac buying MHC bonds.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... GULFPORT -- On January 25, Gov. Haley Barbour joined officials from Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) and Freddie Mac to announce the availability of $40 million in low-cost mortgages intended to promote homeownership and recovery efforts in...

DuPont plant operating again.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... DELISLE -- Less than five months after the DuPont titanium dioxide (TiO2) manufacturing plant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina, the company is resuming manufacturing operations at the site. "The...

Emerald launches Abacus.(Strictly Business)(Emerald Coast Software Company )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... GULFPORT -- Emerald Coast Software Company recently introduced its Abacus software application. Abacus is designed to reduce paper handling and storage costs. According to Emerald, Abacus simplifies and automates the collection of...

Isle raises expectations.(Strictly Business)(Capri Casinos Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... BILOXI -- Isle of Capri Casino Inc. expects fiscal third quarter 2006 earnings for the gaming company to exceed the high end of its November 18, 2005, guidance of a $0.01 per share loss. The company expects to report third quarter net income of...

Bonner Travel merges.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... JACKSON -- Bonner Travel Service has merged with Bryan Tours/MTS Travel, a branch of Ephrata, Pa.-based MTS Travel. Terms were not disclosed. Chris Mize McMillan, CEO of Bonner Travel, which was founded in 1960, said, "We are excited about...

State may issue Katrina Bonds.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... JACKSON -- The State of Mississippi may issue nearly $5 billion in tax-exempt Katrina Bonds, according to Don Clark, the chair and former head of the public finance group of the law firm Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Canada, PLLC. These...

First Hilton Garden opens.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... MADISON -- Hilton Hotels Corporation has opened the 134-room Hilton Garden Inn Madison. It is situated at 320 Mannsdale Road. MMI Hotel Group owns and manages the newly-constructed Hilton Garden Inn Madison, which operates under a franchise...

Peoples sees stronger quarter.(Strictly Business)(Peoples Financial Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... BILOXI -- Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of The Peoples Bank, increased net income in 2005 to $5.882 million, a 2% rise over the year before, despite the effects from Hurricane Katrina that impacted earnings in the third quarter. ...

Entergy makes historic deal.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... CLINTON -- Entergy Corporation and Blue Source have completed the first greenhouse gas emission reduction transaction of the type contemplated by the recent Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) compact. In addition, Entergy and Blue Source...

JBHM Architects has been commissioned to work with Harrison Signature Properties on a $5-million commercial, retail and residential development in Northeast Tupelo, on the future 1-22 corridor.(Strictly Business)
February 6, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: JBHM Architects has been commissioned to work with Harrison Signature Properties on a $5-million commercial, retail and residential development in Northeast Tupelo, on the future 1-22 corridor. The land...

Local politicos unlikely to suffer from plant involvement: implications 'probably not what people outside North Mississippi think they are,' says one longtime political observer.
February 6, 2006... With an indictment in the beef plant fraud case putting that state-funded failure back in the limelight, observers may wonder about political fallout from officials who pushed the project. The project's support by legislators and state agency...

Prefab cottage may replace trailers as temporary housing.
February 6, 2006... The 300-square-foot yellow house is being called the Tiny House and the Katrina Cottage. Whatever it's called, the goal of this creation is to give homeless disaster survivors an alternative to FEMA trailers. The idea to provide emergency...

Mississippi Power exec named Business Woman of the Year.(Interview)
February 6, 2006... When Linda Watts was named Mississippi Business Woman of the Year at the awards luncheon on January 19 at the Mississippi Business & Technology EXPO 2006, she was stunned. "With so many very accomplished ladies among the 50 recognized. Fm...

Poplarville businesses 'have been going gangbusters'.
February 6, 2006... Poplarville has one of South Mississippi's most charming and vibrant main streets. Things are normally slow paced in the small town that doesn't even have one stoplight. But since August 29 when the population nearly doubled with Katrina...

Bank rebounding from Katrina's severe storm damage.(Focus)
February 6, 2006... GULFPORT -- Hancock Bank, arguably the financial institution along the Mississippi Gulf Coast hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, is rebounding quickly. "It's our home," said Hancock Bank CEO George Schloegel. "And you...

Mississippi Young Bankers: another successful year for org.(Focus)(Ted C. Williams )
February 6, 2006... BRANDON -- The world of sports training's loss was banking's gain when "Ted C. Williams decided banking was the right career for him. The Natchez native always participated in sports and served as student trainer for the football team during...

Bankers turn attention to range of issues in session: Prudent Investor Rule would bring state into mainstream, says MBA director.(Banking & Finance)
February 6, 2006... To bring Mississippi into the mainstream, the Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA) is lobbying for passage of the Uniform Prudent Investor Act (House Bill 1112), legislation that would enact the Prudent Investor Rule, specify standards for...

Mortgage bankers see changing market as region recovers.(Focus)
February 6, 2006... The effects of Hurricane Katrina's devastation of homes in South Mississippi are being felt by mortgage bankers as they assist customers with recovery and rebuilding. Hancock Bank, headquartered in Gulfport, is a key player in the industry...

Relationships critical, but easy to misunderstand.(Banking Today)
February 6, 2006... Conventional wisdom says that banking is a business based on relationships. This is underscored in annual reports, speeches, press releases and other materials generated by bankers in describing business strategy. In principle, the...

Banks.
February 6, 2006... Bank Executive Address Telephone/Fax Regions Bank Jackson W. Moore 417 20th St. N., (205) 244-2855/(334)...

Memo to biz: advertising doesn't have to be an expense.
February 6, 2006... Times are tough. Sales are flat or lagging, margins are tight, and competitors are steadily eating into you marketshare. So you cut back on your marketing budget. Now think about that--competitors are stealing business, and you desperately...

Outdoor-related legislation demands careful scrutiny.(Outdoor Impact)
February 6, 2006... In late January, I spent some time reading still-active, outdoor-related bills posted on the Mississippi Legislature's Web site--www.ls.state.ms.us/. There are quite a number of proposed measures on the drawing board. Many of these bills...

Events.(Calendar)
February 6, 2006... Monday, February 6 * The Millsaps College Enrichment Series will offer a new class called "Building a Sustainable Faith-based Nonprofit Organization." The class will meet Monday evenings from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. through February 27. Cost...

Developer sees demand: the Belfry features 11 upscale residential units.
February 20, 2006... TUPELO -- It isn't plastic surgery. It isn't a reality television show. It does certainly qualify as an "Extreme Makeover." Following a year's worth of work, The Belfry--a former government office building and nuclear fallout...

Exciting times for family-owned Mid-South Produce.
February 20, 2006... GRENADA -- Mid-South Produce Company Inc. is a family-owned operation that has been in continuous operation now for more than a half-century. Yet, these are perhaps the most exciting times at the fruit and vegetable distribution company. ...

McAllister giving back to his home state: business keeping former Ole Miss standout busy during the off-season.
February 20, 2006... JACKSON -- When Deuce McAllister was riding with his dad in an 18-wheeler across America some 20 years ago, he had no idea that one day, not only would he become an NFL star running back for the New Orleans Saints, but he would also be...

James brings big-business background to AmeriMail Direct.(A Mississippi Business Journal Q&A)
February 20, 2006... JACKSON -- AmeriMail Direct Inc. has a new owner and president/CEO, Ernest S. James. James purchased the direct mail company, which employs 50 workers, in November 2005. While this marks James' first foray into the direct mail industry and...

Government bureaucracies too big to be effective.(As I See It)
February 20, 2006... Russians with no vodka! Can you imagine that? It's true. Before we look at the whys, it's important to understand just how important vodka is to the Russian people. According to a recent Wall Street Journal story, the average Russian pours...

Madison County supervisors state positions on recent board action.(Letter to the Mississippi Business Journal)(Letter to the editor)
February 20, 2006... Editor: We are writing to state our positions and make public some of the facts about the $50-million bond package the majority of the Madison County Board of Supervisors passed February 6, over opposing votes from the two of us. On...

Crystal balls, tea leaves and tarot cards.(Musings)(United States economic conditions)
February 20, 2006... Predicting the future of the economy and the markets is the favorite activity of every economist and financial analyst. The favorite spectator sport for every investor is sitting in on these fortune-telling sessions. With that in mind, the CFA...

Marshall County Forestry Association.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... At the annual meeting of the Marshall County Forestry Association, Dr. Marty Brunson of the department of wildlife and fisheries at Mississippi State University and board chairman of the Catch-A-Dream program received a $3,195 check for...

Horne, LLP.(appointments)(Brief article)
February 20, 2006... HORNE, LLP, is pleased to announce the following additions to the firm: Denise Vance has accepted the position of controller for the firm. Vance is a graduate of Delta State University, with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She brings more...

GranthamPoole, CPAs.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... Natalie Hutto and Jennifer Boutwell have joined Grantham Poole, CPAs as staff accountants. Hutto is a member of the tax team, legal services team and financial planning and estate and gift teams. Prior to joining GranthamPoole, Hutto was a tax...

Mississippi Children's Home Services.(Tammy Miller awarded the T.A.P.P. Middle Management Award)(Brief article)
February 20, 2006... At its fall conference, the Southeastern Network of Youth and Family Services recognized Tammy Miller, director of Mississippi Children's Home Services' South Mississippi Children's Center, for her steady, calm leadership during and after the...

Bedwell opens 200th McAlister's Deli.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... Matthew Bedwell recently opened the 200th location of McAlister's Dell in Starkville, a block from the Mississippi State University (MSU) campus. A longtime McAlister's employee, Bedwell worked as director of information technology before...

Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg announced that Traci T. Hayes has been named public relations manager for the property. Hayes joins Ameristar with a 10year career as a communications and public relations professional. Most recently, she was an...

Regions Bank.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... Jim Wild has been promoted to assistant vice president of commercial lending at its Hattiesburg location. Prior positions held with Regions include portfolio manager and credit officer, both at the Hattiesburg main office. The McComb native is...

Hancock Bank.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... Leslie Ryland North and Delma Powell have been named senior vice presidents at Hancock Bank. North, a Gulfport native who joined Hancock Bank 15 years ago as a loan originator and, later, staff appraiser, has managed the company's appraisal...

Eubank & Betts, PLLC.(J. Frank Belts elected )(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... J. Frank Belts, CPA, managing member of Eubank & Belts in Jackson, was elected to the International Board of Directors of CPA Associates International Inc. He is the recipient of numerous professional and civic awards, and he has served on...

Sunny Mortgage Group, LLC.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... Molly Lionberger joined Sunny Mortgage Group as a new loan officer. Lionberger served on the Mississippi Quality Award Board of Examiners in 2002 and 2004, and as director of People First (HR and training) for RPM Pizza, LLC, dba Domino's...

Gulf Coast Community Foundation.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... The Gulf Coast Community Foundation board of directors announces the new officers and directors for 2005-2006. Officers include Dave Treutel, president; John Walton, vice president- elect; Duncan McKenzie, vice president; Dave Geiger,...

State Bank & Trust Company.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... State Bank & Trust Company is pleased to announce Robert Lance Smith has been promoted to information systems officer in Greenwood. Smith received a BBA in management from the University of Mississippi. He began his career with State Bank &...

Mississippi Blood Services.(People to Watch)
February 20, 2006... Wendy Copeland of Clinton has been named the Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) Central Chapter. Copeland is employed as the public relations and communications manager for Mississippi Blood...

Stuart C. Irby Co. acquiring Texas-based Priester Supply.(Priester Supply Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... JACKSON -- Stuart C. Irby Co. has executed an agreement to acquire Priester Supply of Arlington, Texas, effective February 27, 2006. Terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1932, Priester, which operates 10 full-service utility branches, is...

New boat set for launch.(Strictly Business)
February 20, 2006... TUNICA -- The new Tunica Queen Riverboat is readying to begin operations along the Mississippi River. "The inaugural cruise is set for March 4th, and will launch the 2006 cruise season for the all new Tunica Queen," said Bill Canter, the...

SBA aid hits all-time high.(Strictly Business)
February 20, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $4 billion in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, surpassing the previous record set after the...

Network integration progressing.(AT&T Wireless Services Inc. partners with Cingular Wireless L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... AROUND MISSISSIPPI -- The integration of the AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless networks is nearing completion and is already offering customers in Brookhaven, Hattiesburg, Gulfport and Biloxi enhanced service. The network integration...

Black Warrior changes name.(Strictly Business)
February 20, 2006... COLUMBUS -- Black Warrior Wireline Corporation changed its corporate name to Warrior Energy Services Corporation effective February 8, 2006. The new trading symbol for its common stock in the over-the-counter market is "WGSV." President...

Dale issues directive.(Strictly Business)
February 20, 2006... JACKSON -- Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance George Dale has directed insurance companies to review and take into consideration eyewitness accounts of damage as well as damage to neighboring structures in addition to other evidence compiled...

Peavey makes Hall of Fame.(Strictly Business)
February 20, 2006... MERIDIAN -- North American musical instrument and sound reinforcement retailers recently honored Peavey Electronics with four 2006 Music & Sound Awards, including the first-ever Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award: "Hartley Peavey has...

Parkway Properties repurchasing shares.(Strictly Business)
February 20, 2006... JACKSON -- The board of directors of Parkway Properties Inc. has authorized the repurchase of up to one million shares of Parkway's outstanding common stock through August 2006. The shares may be purchased in the open market or in privately...

Wesley first with CRT-D.(cardiac resynchronization therapy device at HCA Wesley Medical Center)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... HATTIESBURG -- Wesley Medical Center is the first hospital in the region to implant a CONTAK RENEWAL 3RF cardiac resynchronization therapy device (CRT-D) in patients with heart disease. Dr. Alan Covin, a cardiologist with HeartSouth, implanted...

CMPDD reveals plan.(The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District)(Brief article)
February 20, 2006... JACKSON -- The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD), along with state transportation officials, held a news conference February 9, at CMPDD to unveil the metropolitan area urbanized transportation plan known as...

FHMS selling.(NOVA Information Systems acquires First Horizon Merchant Services Inc.)(Brief article)
February 20, 2006... NASHVILLE -- NOVA Information Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the merchant processing business of First Horizon Merchant Services Inc. (FILMS), a wholly owned subsidiary of...

Gas bills to drop.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- CenterPoint Energy has decreased the gas cost adjustment portion of its natural gas bill as a result of lower wholesale gas prices. The adjustment will lower the average Center Point Mississippi residential winter gas bill...

TSI hits record high.(Transportation Services Index)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 1.2% in November to 112.2 from the October level of 110.9, turning up after a one-month decrease to reach a record high, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). ...

Nissan North America makes donation, awarding scholarships.(Strictly Business)
February 20, 2006... CANTON -- Nissan North America Inc. has donated 50 full-size Nissan Titan trucks to support the Habitat for Humanity's rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast region due to the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season. The retail value of the 50...

Terra reports loss.(Terra Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... YAZOO CITY -- Terra Industries Inc. recorded a net loss to common shares of $16.4 million, or $0.17 per common share, on revenues of $513.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Net income available to common shareholders for the...