First Row, Left: Donald Clark, President of Butler Snow; Carol Burger, President & CEO of United Way of the Capital Area; Gail Pittman, CEO of Gail Pittman Designs; Alon Bee, City President of Regions Bank; Terricha Phillips, Zip39 Service Chair Back Row Left: Jennings Ross, Zip39 VP of Administration; Laurel Donahoo, Zip39 Membership Chair; Bo Pentecost, Zip39 Past President; Brian Ramsey, Zip39 Professional Development Chair; Glen Silverman, CEO of Madison River Oaks Medical Center; Brad McMullan, CEO & co-founder of BFAC, LLC and Texting Leader, LLC; Dwight Young, Zip39 President

The second annual CEO Forum at Butler Snow offered 85 young professionals a glimpse into the life of five executives in the Jackson metro area.

Dwight Young, president of Zip39, believes the forum will grow and inspire young professionals year after year. “The CEO Forum is a wonderful opportunity for young professionals to gather together each year and learn from some of the most successful and influential business leaders in the area,” Young said. “Their insight into how to conduct yourself in both business and life is so valuable and needed at this stage in our careers.”

The CEOs answered questions ranging from their first job, definition of success, the biggest challenge they overcame in their professional career and the best advice they received. Even moderator Brad McMullan, CEO of BFAC, LLC and Texting Leader, LLC, gave sound advice.

Madison River Oaks Medical Center CEO Glen Silverman reminded young professionals that appearance is very important. And when the opportunities come, be prepared for success, said Gail Pittman, CEO of Gail Pittman Designs. Donald Clark partner and CEO of Butler Snow, told audience members they have an entrepreneurial spirit that will take them far.

Carol Burger, president and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area shared advice from her mother, one of her greatest influences. “Happiness is only what you and God can make happen. As you are blessed, bless others,” she said.

Alon Bee, city president for Regions Bank, was excited to see young professionals “investing in themselves” by attending the forum. “The panel questions gave us the opportunity to share experiences that, hopefully, will be beneficial to the group by suggesting some ‘Best Practices’ in business today and in the future,” Bee said.

Attendees got to socialize and network with panel members, asking direct questions related to their career goals and aspirations. Food was provided by The Parker House Restaurant, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Viking Cooking School, VIP Events & Catering and drinks were provided by Southern Beverage Company.

New Zip39 member Melia Dicker is a partner and project manager with Creative Distillery – a small, but growing advertising agency in Jackson. It’s not often she gets to talk to experienced business leaders, so the CEO Forum was on point for her and husband, Darren Schwindaman.

“It was incredibly helpful to hear how they’ve managed their challenges and successes, and it encouraged me to seek out mentors like them” Dicker said.

Likewise, Burger felt honored to be one of the panel members. “It does my heart good to see young people engaged in determining what our future holds,” she said. “I applaud Zip39 Young Professionals for engaging and energizing young people in making a difference in our communities.”

Zip39 is a community of young professionals (YPs) passionate about connecting, professional growth and giving back. Zip39 is a program of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce for YPs between the ages of 21-39 who live, work, and play in Madison County and the Tri-county area. For more information about Zip39, please email zip39@madisoncountychamber.com , or call 601-605-2554.

“We congratulate Wayne onthis prestigious honor,” said Firm Chairman Beau Grenier. “This recognition speaks volumes about Wayne’s talent, litigation experience, and dedication to his clients. We are pleased to see him recognized in this way.”

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings was nominated for nine Benchmark Litigation South awards across three offices, the most of any firm. It was the only firm to receive nominations in more than one state. The firm received a total of four awards, also the most of any firm.

Benchmark Litigation Awards South was an inaugural regional awards ceremony held in Atlanta on March 8.Nominees included firms from every major market in the southern U.S. For more information about Benchmark Litigation, visit http://www.benchmarklitigation.com/.

About Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Tracing its roots to 1871, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has more than 400 attorneys in seven offices and is one of the largest law firms in the Southeast.  The firm maintains offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; Charlotte, NorthCarolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Washington, D.C.

The firm’s lawyers serve clients locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and provide services across a wide range of industries, including accounting, automotive, banking and finance, biotechnology, life sciences, construction, education,emerging business, economic development, energy, entertainment, equipment leasing, forest products, government contracts, health care, life sciences,hospitality, insurance, manufacturing, materials and aggregate production, media and communications, mining, municipal and public finance, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, public utilities, real estate, retail,steel, technology, telecommunications, textiles, transportation, and venturecapital.

Cindy Lindsey has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Community Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Community Banks. She has been with Community Bank for the last 39 years. Throughout her career with the bank she has formally held the titles of Bookkeeper, Teller, Loan Assistant, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Vice President, Executive Assistant to Chairman of the Board, Assistant Vice President and Vice President of Community Bancshares Human Resources Department.

Lindsey’s duties include overseeing the operation of Community Bank’s Human Resource Department which includes payroll processing, managing benefits, complying with labor laws and regulations, and developing policies and procedures for the 8 employers in the Community Bank System consisting of over 650 employees. She also provides guidance concerning payroll, benefits and personnel matters to management, officers and supervisors system wide.

Active in the banking community, Lindsey serves on the Jack Henry & Associates TimeTrack Change Control Board, where she provides feedback on various enhancements to their payroll computer system and is a member of the national Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Lindsey is a graduate of Forest High School and a graduate of East Central Community College. She is also the proud mother of three sons whom now have families of their own: Josh and Melodie Lindsey with their son, Noah; Ben and PJ Lindsey with their daughter, Addison and son, Tucker; and Brian and Marty Ann Lindsey.

Community Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Community Banks across the Southeast, is a $2.23 billion multi-bank holding company consisting of six banks in Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama. Community Bank has 38 offices and more than 650 staff members.

Continuing the strategic growth of its nationally recognized Health Care practice, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has added partner Dinetia Newman in the firm’s Jackson office. Previously a partner with Balch & Bingham LLP, Ms. Newman represents hospitals and health systems, physicians, managed care organizations, and other Medicare Part B suppliers.

Ms. Newman is the 12^th attorney to join the Health Care practice at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in the past four months. In January, the firm added nine members to the group in Birmingham, along with health care antitrust attorney Jay Levine in Washington. Amy Leopard joined the firm’s Nashville office last November.

“We are happy to welcome Dinetia to the firm and look forward to what she brings to our team,” said Firm Chairman Beau Grenier. “Dinetia is not only a welcome addition to our expanding health care group, but also represents a significant step in our ongoing expansion of the Jackson office and the services we offer clients.”

Ms. Newman counsels clients on a variety of matters involving Medicare and Medicaid payments, as well as Anti-Kickback Act, Stark Law, EMTALA, and HIPAA compliance. Her work includes advising clients on matters involving state licensures, certificate of need issues and state and federal investigations. Ms. Newman also represents health care organizations in contract negotiations.

“I have been very impressed with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings’ growth strategies and expansion of its service offerings in Jackson, and believe that the firm provides a good fit for the direction I want my practice to take,” said Ms. Newman. “I look forward to working with all of my talented new colleagues.”

Ms. Newman holds a J.D. (summa cum laude) from the University of Mississippi School of Law and a B.A. from Rhodes College.

About Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Tracing its roots to 1871, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has more than 400 attorneys in seven offices and is one of the largest law firms in the Southeast.  The firm maintains offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; Charlotte, NorthCarolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Washington, D.C.

The firm’s lawyers serve clients locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and provide services across a wide range of industries, including accounting, automotive, banking and finance, biotechnology, life sciences, construction, education, emerging business, economic development, energy, entertainment, equipment leasing, forest products, government contracts, health care, life sciences, hospitality, insurance, manufacturing, materials and aggregate production, media and communications, mining, municipal and public finance, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, public utilities, real estate, retail, steel, technology, telecommunications, textiles, transportation, and venture capital.

Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. will be a guest speaker. The City will provide information on the various health programs that are offered by the Departments of Human and Cultural Services and Parks and Recreation.

There will be various services provided such as glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings.  Coram Infusion will provide genetic emphysema screening.  Several partners will provide educational information such as American Heart Association, Diabetes Foundation, ACT, Magnolia Health, United Health, MORA and many others.  MS Blood Services will have a bus on site for donations.

Other partners for Health Awareness Day include Wal-Mart and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.  For more information, contact coordinator Cynthia Casey at 601-376-4867.

Amy Head next WIN Speaker February 2012

Amy Head, Owner, Amy Head Studio
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 – 11:45 a.m.
Capital Club – DT Jackson

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is pleased to announce that Amy Head, Owner of Amy Head Cosmetics will be our guest speaker on February 28th.  Amy & her photographer husband Harold started their cosmetics business nearly 25 years ago.  Amy grew up in an artistic family & painted as a child, and as a young adult, her modeling experience revealed to her how makeup could “naturally” enhance. In 2000, Amy & Harold made a decision to expand their business and developed a way to train others to do makeup the way she’s done for years.  They now have stores in Ridgeland, Oxford & Birmingham.  Harold & Amy live in Madison County with their daughter MacKenzie and their 2 dogs, Milly & Poppy.

WIN is a professional network group that advocates and encourages women to take advantage of the many opportunities available to today’s professional woman.  The cost to attend this meeting is $15.00 for chamber members and $20.00 for prospective members.  Please bring plenty of business cards so you can network with those at the meeting!

If you would like to attend the meeting on February 28th, please reserve your spot by contacting Debi Green, dgreen@greaterjacksonpartnership.com.  We look forward to seeing you there!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

Every Friday at 9 a.m., people come join together at the Koinonia Friday Forum.
The forum takes place at the Koinonia Coffee House located at 136 S. Adams Street in West Jackson.

A different person speaks each week on topics relating to the Capital City!
Forums are sponsored by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

February Speakers Include:

February 17 – Jerry Mitchell with The Clarion Ledger
February 24 – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, 2nd District of Mississippi

The Free B.A.M. Health Fair & Fitness Walk is scheduled from 9 a.m. – Noon on Saturday, March 31, at the Jackson Medical Mall. B.A.M.! was established to promote awareness of the obesity epidemic in the state of Mississippi through education, involvement and health screenings. This was organized by a Leadership Greater Jackson team of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Mississippi. For More information, click here!

A partnership between Leadership Greater Jackson and Blackburn Middle School has created a health program that will focus on student’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

J.A.G. is a comprehensive program that targets the total health of students in series of planned events throughout the spring semester.  The programs scheduled will focus on bullying, vision, and healthy responsible relationships.  The kick-off program was held Friday, January 13, which included the “Sonic Boom” of Jackson State University.

On February 14, the J.A.G program focused on bullying. This all day event included group discussions and counselors from St. Andrew’s lower, middle, and high school. The program also included motivational speaker Antonio Wright. Blackburn Middle School has a peer mediation program called T.A.P (Talk about the Problem). The program was initiated by the Association of Southern Jewish Affiliates.

The activity schedule for the upcoming months includes:

Activity Schedule:

Friday, March 9, 2012
T.B.A. – Vision Health

Thursday, April 12
8:00 a.m. – Healthy and Responsible Relationships

Monday, May 14, 2012
T.B.A. – Closing program

On March 2, 2012, the teachers and education support professionals of Lee Elementary & The Jackson Chamber of Commerce want to get the word out about the importance of children’s literacy.  From coast to coast, more than 45 million readers, both young and old, are gearing up for the nation’s largest reading celebration–the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day.

Launched fourteen years ago as a way to get kids excited about reading, NEA’s Read Across America has grown into a year-long program that culminates every year on Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2.

Here in Jackson, parents, teachers, education support professionals, students, and elected officials are doing their part to deliver the very important reading message:  Kids who read, and who are read to, do better in school and help build great public schools.

As a part of the business community and an active reader, I’m asking everyone to participate by donating 30 minutes of your time to read a Dr. Seuss book to a group of children on Friday, March 2nd at Lee Elementary (located at 330 Judy Street, Jackson, MS). The Read Across America activities will start at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 12:30 p.m. The Jackson Chamber of Commerce really wants to do our part to encourage reading whether it is donating books to the local library, encouraging our own children to pick up a book and read, or to read to a child. Below are the available times slots on March 2nd! Please email Nicole McNamee at nmcnamee@greaterjacksonpartnership.com if you can come out and help us encourage kids to read.

Read Across America Time Slots (You only have to stay for your time slot)

8:30 – 9 a.m.             2 Volunteers
9 – 9:30 a.m.             2 Volunteers
9:30 - 10 a.m.           2 Volunteers
10- 10:30 a.m.          2 Volunteers
10:30 - 11 a.m.         2 Volunteers
11 - 11:30 a.m.         2 Volunteers
11:30 a.m. – NOON   2 Volunteers
NOON – 12:30 p.m.   2 Volunteers

Looking for Trade-Investment Opportunities in Turkey? Then you will not want to miss this opportunity to be a part of the Turkey-Mississippi Business Summit Luncheon at 12 NOON on TUESDAY, FEB. 21, at the Jackson Hilton. The Partnership, the Mississippi Economic Council, the Mississippi World Trade Center and the Mississippi Development Authority are co-sponsors of this event.

More than 50 businessmen along with politicians from Turkey will be looking for business opportunities in Mississippi at this FREE luncheon.  The keynote speech will be given by the Honorable Delbert Hosemann, Secretary of State, and the presentation will be given by Hakan Tasci, TUSKON US Representative.

The Turkey-Mississippi Business Summit (luncheon) is a part of two-day program called Mississippi & Turkey Business Forum. Companies who would like to participate in the panels are also welcome.

The purpose of the program is to facilitate commerce between Mississippi and Turkey and develop new partnerships between the Turkish and Mississippian business community.
If you are interested in these possibilities or have associates who are interested, please extend this invitation to them.

Please RSVP to rsvp@ttacc.org if you plan to attend. For more information, click here!

Office Depot’s “Small Business Makeover” contest will provide three small businesses with a financial makeover by Jean Chatzky and $2,500 in products from Office Depot.

Small businesses can enter the contest by visit Office Depot’s Facebookpage and submitting, in 100 words or less, why their small business is in need of a makeover.

Enter soon! Contest Ends February 27th.

GJCP also asks you to take the following survey in determining where to move forward with national programs.
Take this Survey!

Research today for a cancer-free tomorrow.
To better understand ways to prevent cancer, the American Cancer Society is recruiting men and women across the US and Puerto Rico for a landmark new research study – Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). Enrollment is being made possible in partnership with University of Mississippi Medical Center from Tuesday, March 27 through Friday, March 30. Individuals may choose to participate if they are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study (which involves completing follow-up surveys periodically over the next 20-30 years), are between the ages of 30 and 65 years old and have never been diagnosed with cancer. CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the genetic, environmental and other factors that may cause or prevent cancer. For more information, visit www.cps3jackson.org, call 1-888-604-5888 or e-mail cps3@cancer.org.

(See attached file: acs3_rgb.jpg)(See attached file: cps3.jpg)

Enrollment will take place at
University of Mississippi Medical Center facilities.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 10am – 1:30pm
Jackson Medical Mall
Community Meeting Room
350 West Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39213

Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 3pm – 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 9am – 2:30pm
Main Campus
Norman C. Nelson Student Union
Conference Room A-D
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 8am – 1:30pm
Main Campus
Classroom Wing, Rm 107, 108, 109
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216

Friday, March 30,2012, 9am – 2:30pm
Grants Ferry – University Physicians
Community Room
1010 Lakeland Place
Flowood, MS 39232

To schedule your
appointment go
to:
cps3jackson.org

Youth Leadership Jackson Class Member Olivia McNeal poses for a picture while volunteering at the Salvation Army SOUPer Bowl Sunday event that was held on
February 5!

Thursday, March 1
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Medicomp Jackson Physical Therapy
1054 Greymont

Medicomp Makeover
“Get The Skinny on Weight loss, Health and Fitness”
Join us at our Medicomp Jackson location for an evening of fun and great information from local vendors on things you want to know to help lose weight, get healthy and fit.

Where: Medicomp Jackson Physical Therapy
1054 Greymont Avenue,
Jackson, MS 39202
601-355-9624
(Located just off Fortification exit; turn left at light, Medicomp is behind the Mexican restaurant.)

Message Point Media, Inc., is a technology and advertising company based in Madison, Mississippi, who provides businesses of all shapes and sizes with digital signage solutions. Currently, the company offers advertising space on three digital flat screen network locations: 15 digital signs throughout the campus of JSU, two digital signs at Sportsman’s Lodge Restaurant in Maywood Mart, and our newest edition in the lobby of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership’s office. “Our medium is a great way to reach clearly defined target audiences in an interesting way at an affordable price,” said Dannon Durr, President of Message Point Media, Inc.  There are several indoor digital sign networks, including several large ones, scheduled to roll out in 2012.

Contact Debi Green at dgreen@greaterjacksonpartnership.com or Jenny Woodruff at jwoodruff@greaterjacksonpartnership.com if you are interested in advertising!

Click here for advertisting rates!

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership has put together a common calendar for events for the 2012 Calendar Year for all the non-profit organizations. If you have an event, party, etc. to be placed on the calendar, please email it to jwoodruff@greaterjacksonpartnership.com! Click here for the 2012 Calendar of Events for the Greater Jackson area. Remember this will be updated throughout the year. You can also find the Calendar on www.greaterjacksonpartnership.com.

United Way offers 2 FREE tax services

Discover the Secret Lives and Hidden Habitats of Forest Animals

Ladies Night Tonight at King Edwards!

VAlentines for Veterans Concert Celebration Feb. 17

Seafood Buffet Every Friday at King Edward

Sam’s Club Discounts for Chamber Members

Restaurant Menu Guide Pricing – County Connections

Clinton Courier Ad Rates

I’m a huge fan of maps and their graphical display of any topic. With Google’s mapping technology as just one of many options, there’s a huge selection of data being presented on top of base geographic information. Here are some of the best ones I’ve found lately.

Ship-ment tracking

It’s one thing to see where your UPS package is located, but how about tracking an entire cargo ship? You can use the Live Ship Map at MarineTraffic.com to see what’s currently sailing and any associated data with that vessel. For instance, you can follow this link to see what’s sailing near New Orleans. Click any vessel to bring up data such as name, speed and photos of the ship.

Hurricane help

As of this writing, there are no active hurricanes near the nation, but the Google Crisis Map was a boon to recent weather events like Irene and Lee. It allowed users to overlay possible tracks as well as current storm location. Other information included shelter details for storm victims and power outtages. Here’s hoping we don’t see this map receive any new storms to track.

Which state has the most football fans?

Not one map per se, but the New York Times takes a look at how states break down among college football popularity. Part of their article looks at Google’s own search data, via their Insights tool. From Insights, you can see which state is searching the most for college football-related info.

Comings and goings

This map provides users a graphical look as to where people are going from Country X or where they came from in the first place. Following this link you can see where Americans have been emigrating.

Admission to the event is $5 for adults and free for children age 12 and under.

This event is predicted to have a strong economic impact on the City of Jackson. In 2011, the event brought in $391,862 in estimated economic impact.

This is the first event to use the new Sports Court at the Jackson Convention Complex. The Jackson Convention Complex/SMG received the much anticipated “sport court” in June of 2011. With 40,000 square feet of court, the JCC has the ability to set between 10-13 volleyball courts.

The court is designed with vertical-give to provide cushion for developing children and athletes. This court surface is approved for NCAA, NBA, USA Volleyball, FIBA, US Tennis Association and US Soccer Foundation.

For more information on this event visit: www.thegamepoint.org/southern-hospitality.

The set up of the Sport Court at the Jackson Convention Complex is open to all media, Friday, February 10^th after 1:00 PM.

For more information on the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, hit us up at www.visitjackson.com or call 601-960-1891.