The Mississippi Business Journal articles from September 2008

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from September 2008

After good news about gasoline the past few weeks, prices began to climb as Hurricane Gustav developed in the Caribbean.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: After good news about gasoline the past few weeks, prices began to climb as Hurricane Gustav developed in the Caribbean. At press time last week, forecasters anticipated the storm strengthening as it moved...

Howard raid points to a bigger issue.
September 1, 2008... Last week's raid on Howard Industries in Laurel that netted 595 arrests of suspected illegal immigrants is the largest in U.S. history. US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents descended on the electric transformer manufacturer...

Powell set to keynote Leadership Summit.(Colin Powell)(Mississippi State University)
September 1, 2008... After the inaugural Leadership Summit held last year at Mississippi State University, Dr. Barbara Spencer determined to make the next event bigger and better. And she feels she has done that with a full slate of noted speakers led by former...

Changed quarterbacks but still losing.(Perspective)(Cartoon)
September 1, 2008... HIKE! HIKE! HIKE! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Contact Hattiesburg-based cartoonist Ricky Nobile at nobilericky@aol.com.

Notes, quotes and an opinion or two for you.(Perspective)
September 1, 2008... Odds and ends, bits and pieces, lessons learned and maybe even an opinion or two from early conversations an incoming resident has enjoyed. ... Ben Allen's stint as a cheerleader at Mississippi State may be as practical and useful in his...

Business Journal fetes Mississippi's 50 Leading Business Women 2008.
September 1, 2008... The Mississippi Business Journal hosted the state's 50 Leading Business Women for a busy two days of networking, socializing and professional development August 20-21. The celebration of business success marked the 12th year for one of the...

Broadcast Media Group reaching beyond Starkville base.
September 1, 2008... A small production company in Starkville is proving that the latest techniques in video can be combined with the satisfying quality of life found in Mississippi while extending its professional reach far beyond the state boundaries. ...

Viking field getting stronger with Watkins on recruiting trail.(Sports + Business)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Viking Classic's field got a little stronger last week David Toms, who won the 2001 PGA Championship, gave his commitment to Viking tournament director Randy Watkins at The Barclays Tournament. Watkins had...

Great golf, even better business.(Sports + Business)
September 1, 2008... Golf plays a big part in Mississippi's tourism industry. With world-class courses as part of casino developments in Philadelphia, Tunica and on the Coast, plus hidden gems like Grenada's Dogwoods course, the golfing industry certainly pulls...

Holiday Inn, Alumni House open at Bloomfield development in Pearl.(Sports + Business)
September 1, 2008... The Bloomfield development in Pearl has added another business. In fact, the newest addition is something of a two-for-one deal. Not only is Bloomfield now home to Holiday Inn at Trustmark Park, but also a new Alumni House Sports Grill has...

Gulf Coast Business Council announces 2008-2009 Masters Program participants.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal The Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation has announced the selection of the 2008-2009 Masters Program participants. Twenty individuals from the three Coast counties will participate in...

TVA raising rates.(Strictly Business)(Tennessee Valley Authority)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... NORTH MISSISSIPPI -- The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board has approved a 2009 budget that includes $12.613 billion to cover operating expenses and $2.088 billion in capital investments. As previously announced by TVA, the price of TVA...

Insurers, MID reach agreement.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... JACKSON -- After months of separate discussion and negotiations, the insurance firms State Farm and Allstate insurance companies have come to an agreement with Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chancy on details of rate filings. ...

WNV cases rise.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports 12 new human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) for 2008, bringing the state's total number of WNV cases to 54 with one death. The new cases are in George, Hinds...

PHI releases restatements.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... MADISON -- Phosphate Holdings Inc. (PHI), which is headquartered in Madison and operates a fertilizer manufacturing facility in Pascagoula, reports record second quarter earnings of $35 million, or $4.32 per fully-diluted share, an increase of...

Chevron files permit app.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... PASCAGOULA -- Chevron Corporation has submitted an environmental permit application to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for the construction of a premium base oil facility at the company's Pascagoula refinery. The...

Bomgar's growth recognized.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... RIDGELAND -- Inc. magazine has ranked Bomgar Corp. 190th on the 27th-annual Inc. 500 that recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Bomgar was named to the list for its revenue growth over the last three years. In...

Refinery receives certificate.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... GREENVILLE -- According to Nova Biosource Fuels Inc., a Houston, Texas-based refiner and marketer of biodiesel, the biodiesel refinery under construction for Scott Petroleum in Greenville, has received its certificate of substantial completion....

Mass layoffs decline.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... WASHINGTON -- In July, employers took 1,512 mass layoff actions, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

Correction: JA Business Hall of Fame special publication.(Strictly Business)(Correction notice)
September 1, 2008... In the Mississippi Business Journal's Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame special publication, the following members of the Hall of Fame were omitted from the list of past inductees on page 7: James L. Barksdale, William H. Cooke Jr.,...

Neel-Schaffer buys DFA.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... JACKSON -- Neel-Schaffer Inc. has acquired the firm of Demopulos & Ferguson Associates (DFA), LLC. Terms were not disclosed. DFA has offices in Shreveport, La., and Houston, Texas. Founded in Shreveport in 1953, it is a multi-disciplined...

NOAA dedicates station.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... BAY ST. LOUIS -- On August 22, NOAA dedicated its Sentinel Storm Tide Station at the Bay Waveland Yacht Club in Bay St. Louis. This is the first of four new hurricane-hardened NOAA Sentinel water level observing stations being installed in...

Sanderson records loss.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... LAUREL -- Sanderson Farms Inc. reports net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were $466.9 million, compared with $394.8 million for the same period a year ago. However, the poultry company reports a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.18...

State named 'saint'.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... San Francisco-based Pacific Research Institute (PRI) has released its report comparing the legal climates of all 50 states. And the report is favorable for Mississippi, ranking it ninth. According to the "U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2008...

Study: co-pays on fast rise.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Despite medical coverage cuts, Compdata Surveys' 2008 Compensation Data--Mid-South survey reported at least 85% of all Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi employers offer prescription drug coverage as part of their medical plan. The survey also...

New fund established.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... HATTIESBURG -- According to the Great Pine Belt Community Foundation, for little or no cost anyone can have the equivalent of his own private foundation by establishing a donor advised fund. This new tax and estate planning tool is...

Nursing program developed.(Strictly Business)(University of Southern Mississippi)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... HATTIESBURG -- Students who meet certain academic requirements may earn their baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) while attending community college through a newly developed concurrent enrollment program with the University of Southern...

New-look Embassy set to open.(Strictly Business)(Embassy Suites Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... RIDGELAND -- According, to Embassy Suites Hotels, currently with 192 hotels, it is experiencing its strongest development pipeline in the brand's 24-year history Currently 62 franchised hotels are scheduled to open in the next three years, many...

MUW recognized again.(Strictly Business)(top rank of Mississippi University for Women)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... COLUMBUS -- For the fifth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Mississippi University for Women (MUW) a top Southern public master's university. MUW was ranked 12th among Southern public master's universities in the 2009...

Ole Miss, MC make list.(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2008... OXFORD AND CLINTON -- The University of Mississippi (UM) and Mississippi College (MC) and have landed a spot on the first Forbes.com list of "America's Best Colleges. The new listing ranks 569 undergraduate institutions, and are based on the...

Back to campus, back to real estate: student interest still high.(Focus)
September 1, 2008... Despite a slow housing market and problems with the real estate industry, students are still signing up for real estate classes at the state's three largest public universities. Although real estate professors at the University of Mississippi,...

MEC taking Leadership Mississippi nominations.(Focus)
September 1, 2008... The Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) is currently accepting nominations for Leadership Mississippi. The deadline for nominations is October 1. Leadership Mississippi is an annual program of the MEC that is conducted by the M.B. Swayze...

$ell that house: slow-market strategies include pricing it right, plenty of curb appeal and getting rid of clutter.(Real Estate Quarterly)
September 1, 2008... This may be the worst time in years to sell a home. Yet, real estate professionals have plenty of advice for homeowners needing or wanting to sell their property. Although professionals in different areas of the state are facing various...

Navigating ups, downs of property management can be tough: professionals helping owners achieve objectives.(Focus)
September 1, 2008... Successful professional property management doesn't just happen without forethought, planning and good administration. To be assured a property manager has the skills to create and administer a good property management plan, look for the...

Property management firms.
September 1, 2008... Property Management Firms Company Name, Year Founded Website Address E-mail Phone/ Fax London & Stetelman www.londonand (601) 268-8770/ Commercial...

First-time homebuyers tax credit could stimulate sales, economy.(Real Estate Quarterly)
September 1, 2008... If you like the idea of an interest-free loan to purchase a car, how about an interest-free loan to help pay for purchasing your first home? Congress has passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that authorizes a $7,500 tax...

Changing market conditions spur continuing education updates.(Focus)
September 1, 2008... The state's licensed Realtors must fulfill continuing education requirements every two years. However, in light of the current market, course offerings are reflecting changing needs and issues. "We have to understand we're in a difficult...

Business events (and more).(Calendar)
September 1, 2008... 'Can America Compete for 21st Century Jobs?'--Norman R. Augustine, retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation and undersecretary of the Army, will offer a lecture titled "Can America Compete for 21 st Century Jobs?" Wednesday,...

St. Dominic Hospital.(People to Watch)
September 1, 2008... Kerry L. Bernardo, M.D., has joined St. Dominic Hospital's specialty practice, St. Dominic Neurosurgery Associates, and has become a member of the hospital's medical staff. He graduated from the University of California, Irvine, and the UCLA...

Wells-Marble & Hurst, PLLC.(People to Watch)(appointment of William Manhein)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... William "Trey" Manhein has joined Wells Marble & Hurst, PLLC, as an associate. He devotes his practice primarily to corporate law and business formations and planning. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Manhein received his B.A. from Louisiana...

Electric Power Associations of Mississippi.(People to Watch)
September 1, 2008... David L. Parker of Brandon has been named senior vice president of economic development for the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. He will help stimulate job growth in the state by assisting in plant expansions and recruiting new...

Mississippi Main Street Association.(People to Watch)(appointment of Randy Wilson )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Randy Wilson has joined the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) as director of design services. He will provide technical design assistance to 56 Main Street community programs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since 2007, Wilson has...

Wilson Research Foundation.(People to Watch)(appointment of Gene Delcomyn )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Gene Delcomyn of Brandon has joined the board of governors of the Wilson Research Foundation, the fundraising arm of Methodist Rehabilitation Center. He serves as senior executive vice president of BankPlus. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Cellular South.(People to Watch)(appointment of Brian Jones)(promotion of Justin Croft and Renee Keller )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Brian Jones has been promoted to director, financial analysis and planning, for Cellular South. He is responsible for directing and overseeing all aspects of interconnect accounting, budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis and data...

Horne LLP.(People to Watch)
September 1, 2008... HORNE LLP recently promoted three employees to manager in its Jackson office: Jesse Alford, assurance services; Lance Mize, tax services; and Ben Sylve, technology.

SouthGroup Insurance Services.(People to Watch)
September 1, 2008... Hershel F. Murphy Jr. has joined SouthGroup Insurance Services as the firm's newest licensed insurance agent in Greenville. At the University of Mississippi, the recent graduate studied insurance and risk management and real estate, and he...

Riverwalk Casino and Hotel.(People to Watch)
September 1, 2008... Yolonda Lawyer Major has been named revenue audit manager for Riverwalk Casino and Hotel, which is scheduled to open in Vicksburg later this year. Major has 15 years of experience in gaming management. She began with Harrah's Entertainment...

Fuel, feed, packers have swine industry scrambling in state.(Mississippi Agribusiness)
September 1, 2008... Fuel, feed and packers have Mississippi pork producers over a barrel. According to statistics from the National Pork Board, Mississippi's hog production numbers over the last seven years (2000-2006) averaged approximately 470,000 head,...

Gustav, Gustav go away ... coast businesses dealing with range of storm-related losses.
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After avoiding major destruction from Hurricane Gustav--for the most part--Mississippi Gulf Coast businesses spent the next few days re-opening for customers. Cleared of huge deposits of sand, U.S. 90 re-opened...

Gustav, Gustav go away ... unpredictable Gustav wreaks havoc in Natchez, S.W. Miss.
September 8, 2008... Hurricane Gustav was an unpredictable storm. In some ways that was good as the storm slowed down before coming ashore, and hence did less damage on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in New Orleans than was feared. But who would have guessed that...

Buzz building in Oxford as debate countdown accelerates.
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Both political parties have had their conventions and Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have officially accepted their party's nominations. The two are now on a campaign collision course that makes a...

EPA says 'no' to Yazoo Pumps Project, but is it the end?(Environmental Protection Agency)(United States. Army. Corps of Engineers)
September 8, 2008... After decades of studies and debate, it appears that the Yazoo Pumps Project is dead. On September 2, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voted against the construction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (COE's) proposed pumping station...

Harvest weather making waves for Magnolia State's crops.(Mississippi Agribusiness)
September 8, 2008... Tropical Storm Fay was in the first wave of challenges facing Mississippi farmers during the 2008 harvest season as growers wait to see what future storms may bring. Mississippi State University agronomists are reporting some benefits but...

Payton headlines First Bank and Trust branch opening in Madison.(Sports + Business)
September 8, 2008... Sean Payton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints and the Associated Press 2006 NFL Coach of the Year, appeared in Madison August 28 to headline the grand opening of a First Bank and Trust of Mississippi branch. First Bank and Trust, with...

Golf biz around Magnolia State sees impact from Viking Classic.(Sports + Business)
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Tiger Woods blew away the field at the 1997 Masters, his victory did more than let Augusta National members know they had to lengthen the course. It ignited a movement. Interest in golf boomed. Children and...

BankPlus on board for new fan experience during tournament.(Sports + Business)
September 8, 2008... Vijay Singh has long been the No. 1 target for Viking Classic tournament director Randy Watkins. Because Singh keeps on winning, the chances of him teeing off September 18 at Annandale are growing slim. Singh won the Deutsche Bank...

Oyster season opening.(Sports + Business)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has set the opening of the 2008-2009 Mississippi oyster season for legal sunrise September 3, 2008, only in Areas I "B" and II "B" Conditionally Approved Waters, provided the area meets all...

New dynamic message signs offer travelers extra set of eyes.
September 8, 2008... With the current gasoline prices, travelers are looking for new ways to save a gallon or two of fuel. That is especially true for commuters in the metropolitan Jackson area where rush hour traffic can mean additional frustrating and costly...

On the move? Don't count your blessings too soon.(Perspective)
September 8, 2008... Gentlemen, grab your wives. Give them a hug. Take them to dinner. Buy them flowers. Hold their hands and whisper sweet nothings in their ears. Write them love notes. Remind them how much you appreciate them. And be sincere. That may...

Fighting fire with fire.(Perspective)(Cartoon)
September 8, 2008... GOSH, SHE'S PRETTIER THAN I AM! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pain at the pump now highlights need for energy secure future.(Perspective)
September 8, 2008... Pain at the pump is causing considerable interest in our nation's energy supply. People are rightfully concerned since national security is directly linked to energy security. While drilling for oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaskan...

Great streets can be dynamic public spaces for communities.(Perspective)
September 8, 2008... Depending on the perspective, there are good streets and not-so-good streets. And then there are great streets. This column is about great streets as defined by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS), an organization whose stated purpose is to...

Right food, right time can make or break your special event.(Focus)
September 8, 2008... The best way to keep people alert and happy at any corporate function is to keep them well fed and hydrated. Whether it's a small department head meeting or a large corporate event, serving the right food and beverage at the right time is...

More associations holding meetings, conventions at Mississippi locations.(Focus)
September 8, 2008... Mississippi locations have a lot to offer state associations for their annual conferences. Although many associations never left the state, some did and are now returning for their meetings and conventions. For the past 14 years, the...

Excitement building for Jackson Convention Complex opening.(Focus: Meetings & Conventions)
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the many people who dreamed and schemed for years to give Jackson what most state capitol cities take for granted-a convention center-excitement is building with the fact that the Jackson Convention Center (JCC)...

Does your special event, meeting need a professional planner?(Focus)
September 8, 2008... Planning a meeting or corporate event can be a daunting experience, especially when it's something one doesn't have much experience doing. All too often, the planning of critical company meetings is in the hands of an administrative assistant...

MSU's Riley Center drawing thousands to downtown Meridian.(Meetings & Conventions)
September 8, 2008... The Mississippi State University (MSU) Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts, which opened in an historic building in downtown Meridian in late 2006, has been a runaway success attracting 60,000 visitors to downtown Meridian each year...

Associations and conventions.(Calendar)
September 8, 2008... Associations and Conventions Association, Executive Director Year Founded (or Top Officer) Contact Person Address Website/E-mail Phone/Fax American Council of ...

HORNE LLP.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... HORNE LLP has promoted four employees to supervisor in the Jackson office: Lee Watts, health care services; Jillian Compton, assurance services; Mark Prewitt, tax services; and, Pam Murphy, business accounting and advisory. With 12 offices...

The Agency Inc.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... Paul Sims has opened The Agency Inc., an independent insurance company in Byram. The firm specializes in high-risk business and writes through nationally known companies. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Prior to opening The Agency, Sims worked...

Maris, West & Baker.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Edward Mack has joined Jackson-based Maris, West & Baker as senior art director. He is a graduate of Indiana University and the Brainco School of Advertising and Design in Minneapolis. He was most recently employed...

Adams and Reese.(People to Watch)(appointment of Raymond G. Russell )(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Raymond G. "Rusty" Russell of Jackson has become a co-leader of Adam and Reese's corporate-securities-mergers and acquisitions practice team in the transactions and corporate advisory services group. His areas of experience include corporate...

Mississippi Manufacturers Association.(People to Watch)(appointment of John H. McKay )(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... John H. McKay of Flowood has joined the Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA) staff as director of environmental and taxation affairs. As part of the organizations's governmental affairs division, he will monitor taxation and...

Mississippi Center for Nonprofits.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... Kitty Cook Ramsey has joined the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits as director of development. In this role, she will foster and manage all aspects of the organization's fundraising and resource development, including individual gifts,...

North Mississippi Health Services.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... Gerald D. Wages, executive vice president for Tupelo-based North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS), has been elected to the American Hospital Association's board of trustees. His three-year term begins January 1, 2009. [ILLUSTRATION...

Dale and Associates Architects, P.A.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... Donald Bataille, AIA, CCS, NCARB, has joined Dale and Associates Architects, P.A., as specifications and quality control manager. He brings more than 35 years of experience to the position. Bataille graduated from the University of Kentucky in...

Abbott, Simses & Kuchler.(People to Watch)(appointment of Nathan M. Swingley )(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Nathan M. Swingley has joined Abbott, Simses & Kuchler in the firm's Jackson office. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Swingley received his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis in 2001. This year, he received...

Grand Bank Mortgage Center.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... Doug Weeks has joined Grand Bank Mortgage Center in Gulfport as a loan originator. He will be responsible for meeting the needs of homebuyers, Realtors and builders throughout the Coast. A native of Pascagoula, Weeks has more than 15 years...

Bradley Arant Rose & White, LLP.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... William R. Purdy and Ralph B. Germany Jr. have joined Bradley Arant Rose & White, LLP, as partners in the Jackson office. The additions expand the firm's construction and procurement law practice. Purdy and Germany will close their boutique...

Williford, Gearhart & Knight Inc./Engineers & Surveyors.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... Brian Standley has joined Williford, Gearhart & Knight (WGK) as an engineering intern. He is a 1988 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. He also earned a master of...

Renasant Bank.(People to Watch)
September 8, 2008... Saundra Sims has been named Tupelo auto underwriting credit officer for Renasant Bank. She has been with Renasant since 2001, serving in the position of credit underwriter in the Credit administration division. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Museums take proactive steps to protect irreplaceable art.(Restaurants, Arts & Entertainment)
September 8, 2008... As Mississippi continues to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina, one painful lesson learned was that it is impossible to replace an original. Katrina devastated museums and their collections on the Coast, and damaged others well away from the Gulf...

Arts orgs thinking creatively to supplement funding shortfalls.(Focus)
September 8, 2008... Funding for the arts in these tough economic times is challenging, but arts organizations and foundations are looking ahead to better times. They're also tightening their belts and thinking outside the box. The 30-year old Greater Jackson...

Museum list.
September 8, 2008... MUSEUM LIST Name, Year Founded Address Operating Hours Admission Price Website/E-mail Phone/Fax No. Yearly Visitors Beauvoir, The Jefferson 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Adults $9...