Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Chamber Confidential

www.metrochamber.com

Volume 2, Number 37 

Tyler Armstrong, Vice-President, Membership & Special Events

Highlights from the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership 2005 Annual Meeting

Last week, the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership celebrated the end of a prosperous and gratifying year by hosting the 2005 Annual Meeting. This year’s luncheon gathering convened at the Jackson Marriott Hotel downtown with around 700 members in attendance.  Underscoring the major accomplishments of the chamber within the past year, outgoing Chairman Bill Farmer, President of Time Warner Cable, passed the gavel to Chairman-elect Eddie Maloney, President of Cowboy Maloney’s Electric City Super Stores.

Among the awards and presentations announced during the ceremony was The Pat Yarborough Award given to Bill Brown, president, Brown Bottling Group. This annual award honors the spirit of volunteerism displayed by the late Pat Yarborough, and is given to the individual who best represents this spirit by his contributions to the Metro Jackson community.     

President Duane O'Neill, Bill Brown, and 2005 Chairman Bill Farmer

            Bill Brown has worked for the Chamber in a number of areas, including serving as chairman of the board of directors in 2002, and he continues to do outstanding work for ChamberPlus. Bill has worked to help expand this program and to develop new ventures for a small business benefits program offering health insurance to approximately 20,000 people.  Bill also serves in his spare time on numerous other boards and organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America and the YMCA Trustees.

Also among the presentations was the 2005 award for the most outstanding business-- presented to Entergy, MS in recognition of its corporate achievement, community involvement, and overall commitment to excellence. Entergy is recognized not only for its past contributions of leadership and resources, but also and especially for its aggressive efforts in the restoration of service to millions of people in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Entergy has worked tirelessly throughout the past months to help the many individuals affected from the country’s worst natural disaster.  Entergy continues to bring new enthusiasm to regional partnership within the Metro Jackson area and work towards revitalization of Downtown Jackson.  It is for these reasons and many more that Entergy MS is a worthy recipient of the 2005

  Haley Fisackerly, Entergy and 2006 Chairman, Eddie Maloney

This year’s Ambassador Council was recognized for the service of individuals comprising the 2005 Chairman’s Council. Once again the Chamber recognized the “Ambassador of the Year” for hard work, dedication to the chamber, and continuous motivation for community involvement.  The 2005 “Ambassador of the Year” was presented to Jamie Woods for her unfailing commitment, enthusiasm, and loyalty to the MetroJackson Chamber. 

     
2005 Chairman Bill Farmer, Jamie Woods, and President Duane O'Neill

The featured speaker for this year’s event was Dave Dennis, president, Specialty Contractors & Associates, Inc of Gulfport.  Mr. Dennis was appointed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board in November 2001, as a representative from the business community.  In December 2002, he was elected as Chairman of the New Orleans Federal Reserve Board.  Dave was also named Mississippi’s “Volunteer of the Year” by MEDC in 2000, and was also recognized as a National Volunteer of the Year by the Southern Economic Development Council.

Dave Dennis, Special Guest Speaker

During this year’s event, Mr. Dennis discussed the response of Gulf Coast Mississippians to the powerful effects and destruction that took place in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Mr. Dennis provided a personal testimony to the events that unfolded and brought attention to the needs that have been met and continually need to be met.  Dave stated, “Every day forward is one of the brightest moments of our state.”  The Governor’s Commission on Renewal and Recovery, along with Jim Barksdale, are working hard to offer assistance where needed.  Many more efforts are beginning to surface for the New Year and the spirit and willingness of the people of this great state are always there.

Chairman Bill Farmer stressed the importance of taking pride in Mississippi.  Not only can Mississippi claim some of the world’s most famous writers, musicians, and entertainers, it is also home to many outstanding businesses.  Chairman Farmer announced that the Jackson Division of Time Warner Cable recently received the top award for leadership of all divisions around the world.  This recognition, along with the contributions of many prestigious companies around the state, gives Mississippi a truly competitive edge.  Chairman Farmer encouraged all members to continue the great work and never to give up.

Chairman Elect, Eddie Maloney, stated that he was proud to lead the chamber into another strong year for 2006.  Mr. Maloney has stated many times that Mississippi has much to offer, and he continues to support the Metro Jackson area and the state.  Starting in January, Chairman Maloney will be assisting Mr. Farmer in leading a delegation of chamber members and local officials to Richmond, Virginia to observe strategies to help solve many issues within the metro Jackson community.  These issues include regionalism, downtown revitalization, the Lefleur’s Lakes project, and public safety. 

The year 2005 has been a landmark year for the Chamber. Nevertheless, there are bridges yet to be built and hurdles still to be crossed. With the continuing support of a vibrant and dynamic membership, the MetroJackson Chamber looks forward to a challenging and vigorous year in its 2006 program of work.

2006 Chairman Eddie Maloney, 2005 Chairman Bill Farmer, and President Duane O'Neill

Special thanks to our annual meeting sponsor, ChamberPlus, Inc. along with Brown Bottling Group and our Levels Investors Trustmark and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississppi.

Mississippi Business & Technology Expo   January 18th 9:30am - 7:30pm January 20th 10:00am-3:00pm www.msbusiness.com/events      It is time again for the state's largest business-to-business networking event — the Mississippi Business & Technology EXPO. The event, presented by Time Warner Cable Business Class, will be held January 18,19 2006 at the Trade Mart in Jackson. It is a special project of the Mississippi Business Journal, Now in its 23nd year, EXPO will feature nearly 200 exhibits and is expected to attract thousands of attendees. In addition, the event will feature multiple awards programs, free seminars, door prizes, and more. Special drawings will be held for seminar attendees to win two free Southwest Airlines tickets; and visitors to the Cyber Café can register for a FREE computer from Ridgeland Computer Repair and Time Warner Business Class. Golf Pro Bob Ford will analyze swings, and many other attractions await EXPO attendees. "Over the course of more than two decades, the Mississippi Business Journal has worked diligently to grow the number of exhibitors, attendees and offerings at the show," said MBJ general manager Ron Jones. "We are going to provide a number of 'firsts' at this year's event, and we are really excited about the 2006 version of the EXPO." The EXPO's hours Wednesday, January 18, 2006, will be 9:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., including a Business After Hours networking party beginning at 5 p.m., and on Thursday, January 19 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.  The Top 40 Under 40 Luncheon will also be held January 18, beginning at noon, and will recognize 40 of Mississippi's top business and community leaders under the age of 40. The Business Woman of the Year Luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. January 19. This award ceremony unveils the top business woman selected from the MBJ's previously held 50 Leading Business Women program. Special Projects Director, Robbie Bell, reports that outstanding entertainment, speakers and multi-media are once again on the agenda for each of these events.   The show is open to the public, and admission is free with a business card. For more information, call (601) 364-1000,    Whether you're an entrepreneur, a sole proprietor or CEO of a large corporation, this is one event you don't want to miss!   We hope to see you there!

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