The Mississippi Business Journal articles from January 2005

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from January 2005

The pols are back in town: lawmakers boost bottom lines for metro hospitality businesses.
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- During the winter months, business owners typically budget for slower business and less revenue. But Mississippi lawmaker's per-diem allowance of approximately $100 per day boosts business for hoteliers and restaurateurs in the metro...

Culin-Arts brings unusual kitchen items to the golden triangle.
January 3, 2005... WEST POINT -- To own a business that's successful enough to need more space is every businessperson's dream. Valeda Carmichael realized that dream with her shop, Culin-Arts, after only one year. She opened her colorful, upscale shop "for...

Under the dome again.(Perspective)
January 3, 2005... The 2005 legislative session convenes this week at the Capitol in Jackson. As the new year and new session get underway, there are an interesting number of changes awaiting members of the State House and Senate. For the naive among us--the...

Legislative session will need discipline.(As I See It)
January 3, 2005... The new year brings challenges galore. For me, the first, as trifling as it might seem to others, is trying to remember to date stuff '05 instead of '04. On a more serious note, the arrival of the new year signals the return of the Legislature....

A remembrance: banker J.C. Whitehead.(Banking Today)
January 3, 2005... In the business world, it is not uncommon to hear the terms "visionary thinker," "progressive role model" or "servant leader" bandied about to describe various CEOs' management styles. But when I think of individuals who have truly personified...

Mitchell, McNutt & Sam, P.A.(People to Watch)(Christopher J. Steiskal, Christopher J. Latimer are appointed)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... The law firm of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P.A., announced that Christopher J. Steiskal has joined the firm's Tupelooffice. Steiskal earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and his J.D. from the University of Mississippi...

Institutions of Higher Learning.(People to Watch)(Richard Crofts )(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) has named Dr. Richard Crofts as the interim commissioner for the state's higher education system. Crofts has nearly 36 years of experience in higher education and left...

Trustmark National Bank.(People to Watch)(Will Sledge appointed)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Will Sledge has joined Trustmark in Greenville as a commercial lender. Sledge earned a BBA degree from Delta State University. He will attend the Mississippi School of Banking at the University of Mississippi this year.

Nancy Lane Commercial Realty Inc.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Michael S. Flannes, CCIM, has joined Nancy Lane Commercial Realty Inc. as a broker associate. Flannes' experience in the real estate business includes 17 years with Deposit Guaranty National Bank as vice president/property manager, three years...

Bayou Plantation Homes.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... John Ruble of Bayou Plantation Homes in Gulfport was presented six awards from the Home Builders Association of Mississippi at the annual awards ceremony. Ruble served as the 2004 president of the Home Builders Association of the Mississippi...

Dorothy S. Thompson Realty Inc.(People to Watch)(Phyllis Ware Parker leaves)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Phyllis Ware Parker has been awarded the accredited buyer representation (ABR) designation by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council of the National Association of REALTORS. Parker is a REALTOR with Dorothy S. Thompson Realty Inc. in Jackson.

BancorpSouth.(People to Watch)(promotions)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Tamra Jones has been promoted to vice president of the Pear Orchard branch in Ridgeland. She has 27 years of banking experience. A native of Benton, Jones graduated from Belhaven College with a bachelor's degree in business administration....

Mississippi Stats Hospital.(People to Watch)(Sandra Lott, Sarah Ann Newsome, Andrew Willis Jr. are appointed)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Sandra Lott, RN, of Mendenhall, Sarah Ann Newsome of Brandon and Andrew Willis Jr. of Pearl have been named Employees of the Month for December 2004 at Mississippi State Hospital. Lott was named Employee of the Month in the licensed clinical...

Red Barn Gallery.(People to Watch)(Gertrude Smith's government finance)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Gertrude Smith, an 81-year-old Collins artist and writer, has been awarded an individual artist mini-grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission to help underwrite the distribution of 15,000 brochures geared towards the tourism market. In August...

Millsaps College.(People to Watch)(Robert S. McElvaine's achievments)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Robert S. McElvaine of Clinton, an author and professor of history at Millsaps College, has been selected for the 59th edition of "Who's Who in America," a biographical reference for people of high achievement in the U.S. He is currently...

PriorityOne Bank.(People to Watch)(Joey Clark appointed)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Joey Clark has joined PriorityOne Bank in Brandon as a mortgage loan originator. A Jackson area native, Clark attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing.

Memorial Hospital.(People to Watch)(employees recognised for service)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Memorial Hospital in Gulfport recently recognized Melody Griffith, case management manager, as the 2004 Employee of the Year. Griffith has worked at Memorial since 1987. A number of employees were recognized for service to Memorial Hospital at...

BankPlus.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Brookie Aycock has joined BankPlus as assistant vice president and branch manager for the Pear Orchard office in Ridgeland. A native of Belzoni, he was previously employed at Union Planters Bank in Cleveland and is a graduate of Delta State...

Consultrix Technologies.(People to Watch)(Carol Moore appointed)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Consultrix Technologies has hired Carol Moore as project manager for the firm's interactive Web development and solutions division based in Ridgeland. Prior to joining Consultrix, Moore worked for WorldCom for 14 years, where she held several...

The Center for Yoga and Health.(People to Watch)(Rebecca Laney performance in documentary film)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Rebecca Laney, owner and director of The Center for Yoga and Health in Clinton, was recently featured in an internationally-acclaimed documentary film, "The Fire of Yoga." The film tells the story of Susan Mason of Jackson, a student of...

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz.(People to Watch)(Clayton A. Dabbs appointed)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Clayton A. Dabbs has joined the Jackson office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz as an associate. Dabbs is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and earned a bachelor of accountancy and a master's of taxation...

Tupelo-based Peoples changing name to Renasant.(Strictly Business)(Peoples Holding Co., Peoples Bank and Trust Co. (Tupelo, Mississippi), Renasant Bank)
January 3, 2005... TUPELO -- The boards of directors of The Peoples Holding Company and The Peoples Bank & Trust Company have voted to unify under one name, Renasant Bank. The change is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to become effective February...

Theatre megaplex opens.(Strictly Business)(Entertainment Properties Trust)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... D'IBERVILLE -- The D'Iberville Grand Theatre 14, owned by Kansas City-based Entertainment Properties Trust, has opened its doors. Operated by Southern Theatres, it has a total of 2,400 seats in 14 auditoriums ranging in size from 101 to 238...

HCC board approves pay hike.(Strictly Business)(Hinds Community College)
January 3, 2005... RAYMOND -- Full-time faculty and staff members at Hinds Community College (HCC) saw an increase in salaries effective January 1, 2005, after the institution's board of trustees unanimously approved its finance committee's recommendation during...

Black Warrior selling.(Strictly Business)(Lincolnshire Management Inc.'s acqusitions, Black Warrior Wireline Corp.)
January 3, 2005... COLUMBUS -- Black Warrior Wireline Corporation has entered into a letter of intent with Lincolnshire Management Inc. for the sale of Black Warrior by way of a merger or asset sale and its acquisition by an affiliate of Lincolnshire. The...

L-3 IS wins ROK contract.(Strictly Business)(L-3 Communications Corp. Integrated Systems, Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... MADISON -- The Republic of Korea's (ROK's) Ministry of National Defense has selected L-3 Communications' Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) subsidiary, as part of an industry team headed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), to complete mission system...

U.S. NetworX acquires Turnkey.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- U.S. NetworX has acquired the operations and client base of Turnkey Hosting, a Web site development and hosting company headquartered in Louisville, Ky. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Turnkey will be operated as a...

Esa designing Silver Slipper.(Strictly Business)(Earl Swensson Associates Inc.)
January 3, 2005... HANCOCK COUNTY -- Earl Swensson Associates (Esa), a Nashville, Tenn.-based architect, is designing the new gaming venue Silver Slipper Casino. Construction is scheduled to begin in January. The $50-million casino development, located on a...

Hancock Fabrics replaces retiring Kirk.(Strictly Business)
January 3, 2005... BALDWYN -- Hancock Fabrics Inc. has made two new appointments to its senior management team. Jane F. Aggers, 56, has been named president and CEO, and Wellford L. Sanders Jr., 59, has been selected as non-executive chairman of the board. ...

Entergy cutting rates.(Strictly Business)(Entergy Mississippi Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- Entergy Mississippi customers will pay less for electricity in 2005. The utility is initiating a 6% decrease in the price of electricity in the first quarter 2005, and company officials are expecting overall rates to remain stable...

KFCU wins five more stars.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... BILOXI -- Keesler Federal Credit Union (KFCU) received a superior rating for the 57th consecutive quarter, from the financial institution research firm, Bauer Financial Inc. KFCU has received consecutive five-star ratings since 1990. In...

Parkway sells interest in properties.(Strictly Business)(Rubicon America Trust)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- Parkway Properties Inc. has closed on its previously announced sale of an 80% interest in three assets to Rubicon America Trust, an Australian-listed trust, which is advised by the Greenwich Group International pursuant to an...

MUW, Columbus form tuition bank.(Strictly Business)(Mississippi University for Women)
January 3, 2005... COLUMBUS -- A partnership between Mississippi University for Women (MUW) and the City of Columbus will establish a tuition bank, which will support the offering of educational opportunities to city employees. The pilot program will credit...

DSU re-accredited.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... CLEVELAND -- Delta State University (DSU) has earned re-accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Re-accreditation is awarded for 10-year periods only after an extensive review...

Triton offering compliance solutions.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... LONG BEACH -- ATM manufacturer Triton is now offering solutions for the regulatory compliance challenges facing the ATM market, including upgrading outdated machines to meet Triple DES security mandates and ADA guidelines. Triton's new...

Ruth's Chris coming to Hard Rock Casino.(Strictly Business)(Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc., Hard Rock Hotels)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... BILOXI -- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino-Biloxi will be the new home of Ruth's Chris Steak House. The upscale steakhouse, founded in New Orleans nearly 40 years ago, will be the hotel and gaming venue's premiere dining offering. "Ruth's Chris...

Cash Systems signs casino.(Strictly Business)(Torguson Gaming Group, Inc)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... BILOXI -- Cash Systems Inc. a provider of cash access solutions for the gaming industry, has signed a new, corporate contract with Torguson Gaming Group, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Minneapolis-based Cash Systems will provide check...

McKesson lands contract.(Strictly Business)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded McKesson Corporation a chronic care improvement program (CCIP) to provide disease management services to Mississippi Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. This award...

ESGR honors.(Strictly Business)(Employers in Support of the Guard and Reserve)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Numerous Mississippi employers were recently recognized by the Employer in Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The awards honor employers who have given the most outstanding support to their Guard and Reserve employees and their families....

MSAE presents awards.(Strictly Business)(Mississippi Society of Association Executives)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- The Mississippi Society of Association Executives (MSAE) has launched a new campaign called "Associations Advance Mississippi." A public awareness campaign, it also includes an awards program to honor associations' community service...

Biopharmaceuticals creating jobs in state.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... America's biopharmaceutical companies are responsible for creating more than 3,000 jobs across Mississippi, according to a new study released. "Biopharmaceutical Industry Contributions to State and U.S. Economies," conducted by the Milken...

Northrop Grumman thanks.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... PASCAGOULA -- Northrop Grumman Corporation recently presented six shipbuilding suppliers with awards recognizing their consistency in delivering top-quality products to the company's Ship Systems and Newport News sectors. The recipients were...

MDEQ finds opal deposit.(Strictly Business)(Department of Environmental Quality)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... CLAIBORNE COUNTY -- Geologists from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's (MDEQ's) Office of Geology made a rare find recently, the first evidence of the precious stone opal in the state. MDEQ staff performing geologic mapping...

HOPE expands into Big Easy.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- HOPE, a community development credit union, has opened an office in New Orleans. HOPE will offer residents of the Crescent City services designed for those who tack access to affordable financial services. "We have needed this...

Manpower: hiring stronger.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... U.S. employers plan to ring in the new year with strong hiring activity, according to the seasonally adjusted results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc. Of the 16,000 U.S. employers that...

Entergy makes donation.(Strictly Business)(Entergy Charitable Foundation, Thud Cochran Endowment for Entrepreneurship)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- The Entergy Charitable Foundation has awarded a major grant to a program designed to promote entrepreneurship in Mississippi and named after one of the state's most distinguished congressmen. "I am pleased to announce that the...

Teletouch completes move.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Teletouch Communications Inc. has completed the move into new corporate headquarters in Tyler, Texas. Various communications and other switch equipment will remain at the previous location. Teletouch has also initiated a number of sales,...

AmFed buys software.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- AmFed has selected Perceptive Software Inc.'s selected ImageNow document imaging, management and workflow solutions to keep pace with the escalating demands of enterprise-wide growth. AmFed's rapid expansion increased the weight...

King Oil wins contest.(Strictly Business)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... LONG BEACH -- King Oil, owner of Mara-Mart convenience stores in Indiana, has won Triton Systems' 10th anniversary contest to find the ATM manufacturer's oldest retail machine still in operation with the original owner. "Congratulations to...

Peoples increases dividend.(Strictly Business)(Peoples Financial Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... BILOXI -- The board of directors of Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of The Peoples Bank, voted to raise the holding company's regular semiannual cash dividend to $0.18 per common share, payable January 17, 2005, to stockholders of record...

Catfish One goes 'pro-active' with new expansion plan.(Dixieland Catfish)
January 3, 2005... LAUREL -- Anyone who has lived in Mississippi for any length of time is familiar with the many restaurants that specialize in catfish, but it took a 40-year veteran restaurant owner to come up with a new concept that has led to the opening of...

Balancing business, home with legislative duties challenging.(Focus Politics)
January 3, 2005... It is that time of year again. Legislators from across the state convene in Jackson for a session that will last for 90 days, ending April 3. For many of the legislators, there will be little sleep and lots of pressure not only to keep up...

Coastal delegation prepares to stick together during session.(Focus Politics)
January 3, 2005... As members of the coastal legislative delegation prepare for the 2005 session, they have many of the same concerns as members from all over the state. They see important issues such as budget woes, funding education and restoring Medicaid cuts...

SoS reports few problems in multi-million dollar industry.(Focus Politics)(Secretary of State)
January 3, 2005... Short of buying a public official a cup of coffee, nearly all other expenses totaling more than $200 in a calendar year to influence decision-making by legislative and executive bodies, and boards and commissions, including boards of...

Business community sizing up Jackson mayoral contest.(focus politics)
January 3, 2005... JACKSON -- The Capital City's mayoral primary is months away, but the contest between incumbent Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and challenger Frank Melton is already heating up. Among the key issues: crime, education, housing and Jackson's tax...

Without an incumbent on ballot, Gulfport mayor's race heats up.(focus politics)
January 3, 2005... GULFPORT -- With municipal elections on this year's political horizon, the Gulfport mayor's race promises to be one of the liveliest. There is no incumbent running for the first time in many elections, leaving a wide open race. The...

Business of persuasion passionate, often profitable pursuit.(focus politics)
January 3, 2005... When the Secretary of State's Office reports six-figure incomes for Mississippi lobbyists, most people assume they're rolling in dough. But top lobbyists say nothing is further from the truth. "It's like going to a bank and saying they...

Banking on education: supporters preparing for session; public education funding advocates roll up sleeves for strong lobbying effort.(focus politics)
January 3, 2005... Proponents for fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) pointed out major flaws in the budget proposals unveiled last month by Gov. Haley Barbour and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Even though Barbour and...

Gearing up for college.(Focus Politics)
January 3, 2005... Many businesses and associations in Mississippi have offered to donate their time and services to promoting the work of GEAR UP Mississippi (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs); The partnerships will pro. vide...

Southern Strategy Group snared key clients in 2004.(focus politics)
January 3, 2005... A month after Republican Haley Barbour was elected governor of Mississippi, Delta Regional Authority executive director Hayes Dent received a call from lobbying powerhouse Southern Strategy Group. "I knew who they were, so I was eager to...

Registered Lobbyists *: 2003 SOS filings.
January 3, 2005... Occupation Name Phone/Fax Number Address 2003 Reported Compensation Clients E-mail Beth C. Clay ...

Entering the new year, try to be objective about portfolio.(ticker talk)(Column)
January 3, 2005... We spend a lot of time at the end of the year helping clients decide if they should sell some of their securities before the year turns over and if so, then which stocks they should sell. Many investors are still holding on to losses...

Ross honored for tort reform efforts.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2005... Sen. Charlie Ross (R-Brandon) was honored by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) for his leadership and expertise in the effort to pass House Bill 13. Ross received the ATRA's Civil Justice Achievement Award. Ross, whose...

Gaming tax issues brewing: Mississippi Gaming Association gears up to 'play defense.'.(Casinos & Gaming)
January 10, 2005... Every year, legislative bills are introduced that include some reference to raising taxes on the gaming industry. But since gaming was legalized during the 1990 special legislative session, the tax rate has remained constant: 12% gross tax rate...

Cities, states bracing for possible cuts in federal funding.
January 10, 2005... While much has been said about the state funding shortfalls and the federal deficits, how are cities and towns in Mississippi faring in the overall fiscal picture? According to the National League of Cities (NLC) Fiscal Conditions in 2004...

Legislature has improved sound, voting systems.
January 10, 2005... JACKSON -- Upgrading the technology needed to run the Mississippi Legislature is no easy task. Budget woes aside, there are considerable obstacles to installing technology upgrades in one of the state's most historically significant buildings,...

Covering Mississippi politics makes for interesting days: AP's Emily Wagster Pettus grew up discussing politics at the dinner table.(A Mississippi Business Journal Q&A)(Interview)
January 10, 2005... JACKSON -- Emily Wagster Pettus knows politics. Since January 2001, Pettus has covered the always-fascinating world of state government in Mississippi for The Associated Press (AP). Before moving to the AP, she worked for more than a...

Hope, anticipation for year to come.(Great Expectations)(Column)
January 10, 2005... The New Year is exciting. It is a time of anticipation and hope for the year to come and a reflection on the year that has passed. There is always some sadness for the loss of lives of friends, family and celebrities. We have lost Ronald...

New year, clean slate: what to do with it?(As I See It)(a time to reflect on the past year)(Column)
January 10, 2005... Though I enjoy the hustle and camaraderie of the holidays, it's good to be back at my keyboard starting another year. By now, New Year's resolutions have been made, and, for some folks, already broken. Nonetheless, the new year is a good time...

Consequences of disease outbreak significant.(The View from Here)(Editorial)
January 10, 2005... By now, most of us have seen the vivid images of the death and destruction wrought by the late-December Asian earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Despite the ongoing play and replay of the heartwrenching footage, the shock remains. ...

First Commercial Bank.(People to Watch)(First Commercial Bank appoints Bo Bourne)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Jackson area banker Bo Bourne has joined First Commercial Bank as a senior vice president. Before joining the bank, Bourne most recently was CEO of South Trust Bank's Central Mississippi operations, where he spent six years overseeing that...

BancorpSouth.(Pam Pugh and other-promoted)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Pam Pugh has been promoted to CRA/loan operations officer at BancorpSouth in Vicksburg. She has 20 years of banking experience. Sandra A. Vincent has been promoted to assistant vice president and branch manager of the D'Iberville Wal-Mart...

Mississippi State University (MSU).(Kirk Sehulz)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... MSU scientist, professor and administrator Kirk Sehulz became the new dean of the university's James Worth Bagley College of Engineering on January 1. He was director of MSU's Swalm School of Chemical Engineering and holder of the school's...

Stewart Sneed Hewes/ BancorpSouth Insurance.(People to Watch)(Great West Casualty Company appoints Jeff Carter)(National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research appoints Vickie Homer)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Stewart Sneed Hewes/BancorpSouth Insurance vice president Jeff Carter has earned the Specialist in Transportation and Risk (STR) designation from Great West Casualty Company. A Hattiesburg native, Carter received his bachelor's degree from the...

Secretary of State.(People to Watch)(Secretary of State appoints Jay Eads)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Secretary of State Eric Clark has appointed Jay Eads of Oxford as assistant secretary of state for elections. Eads served as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 2000 to 2004. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and...

Research Institute of America.(People to Watch)(Ginger Todd appointed as account manager)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Ginger Todd of Ridgeland has been hired as the new account manager for the Mississippi and northern Louisiana territory for Research Institute of America (RIA). She comes to RIA from the accounting firm of Rhea & Ivey in Memphis and replaces...

Horne CPA Group.(appointment of James R. Gordon)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... James R. Gordon, CPA, has joined Home CPA Group as the director of financial institution services. Gordon joins Horne CPA Group after serving more than 17 years in the private sector and two national CPA firms. He is a 1987 graduate of the...

Mississippi Society of Association Executives (MSAE).(People to Watch)(Mississippi Society of Association Executives appoints Jennifer Hail Terry Watkins)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... The Mississippi Society of Association Executives (MSAE) recently named Jennifer Hail, president of the Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association, as Executive Member of the Year, and Terry Watkins, sales manager with Pearl River Resort in...

McGlinchey Stafford.(People to Watch)(McGlinchey Stafford appoints John T. Rouse, Danny E. Ruhl and Gretchen L. Zmitrovich)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... The law offices of McGlinchey Stafford are pleased to announce the addition of three new associates to the Jackson office. John T. Rouse and Danny E. Ruhl join in the commercial litigation section and Gretchen L. Zmitrovich joins in the area of...

Regions Bank.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Andy Marshall has joined Regions Bank in Morrilton, Ark., as senior vice president. Prior to joining Regions, Marshall was a branch manager and lender with AmSouth Bank in Tupelo.

Economics in the classroom.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Dr. Ted Alexander (I), president/CEO of the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, awards a $5,000 matching grant to Dr. Ronald Whitehead, president of the Mississippi Community College Foundation (MCCF),The money will be used to help increase...

Trustmark Bank.(People to Watch)(Trustmark Bank appoints Mark Denny, Melissa Calcote and promotes Mark Dougherty)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Mark Denny has been named as an advisory board member at Trustmark in Meridian. He is the president of Meridian Order Buyers Inc., a Meridian-based cattle company. Denny attended Meridian Community College and Mississippi State University."...

Lewis Fisher Henderson Claxton & Mulroy.(People to Watch)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... Lewis Fisher Henderson Claxton & Mulroy is pleased to welcome new associate Tanya West in the Jackson office. She earned her J.D. in May 2004 from Mississippi College School of Law. Prior to law school, she graduated from Delta State...

Mississippi Arts Commission.(People to Watch)(Mississippi Arts Commission appoints Barbara Brunini,Gad Daegnault, Nell Middleton and Robert St. John)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2005... The Mississippi Arts Commission board recently welcomed two new members, Barbara Brunini of Jackson and Gad Daegnault of Grenada, and two re-appointed members, Nell Middleton of Winona and Robert St. John of Hattiesburg. Board members are...