The Mississippi Business Journal back issues from February 2006:
Waiting for more indictments?
Feb 06, 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. "I think everybody was shocked it was ...
Knowledge of culture essential to success overseas.
Feb 06, 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 important to successful business dealings ...
Financial independence worth short-term sacrifices.(As I See It)
Feb 06, 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 demand for it or no one would be offering the ...
There's economic development, and then there's the beef plant.(Perspective)
Feb 06, 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 prison for his role in the beef processing ...
Want a better business? Invest in SWOTing.(From the Ground Up)
Feb 06, 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 and threats and why failing to ...
Copeland, Cook Taylor and Bush, P.A.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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, ...
Kessler Federal Credit Union.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 manager. She earned her ...
First State Bank.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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. He has been employed with First State Bank ...
Congressman Chip Pickering's office.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 ...
Mississippi Public Broadcasting.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 ...
North Mississippi State Hospital.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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)
Feb 06, 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 ...
Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 Greater Jackson, at-large board member; Sue ...
JBHM Architects.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 ...
The USA International Ballet Competition.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 administrator. A recent graduate from Mount ...
ECCC and MBCI partnership.(East Central Community College)(Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians)(Brief Article)
Feb 06, 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 the former American Greetings Building. ECCC ...
Junior League of Jackson.(Brief Article)
Feb 06, 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 ...
Weyerhaeuser Company.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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, ...
Guaranty Bank and Trust.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 2006 ... Pratt Lewis has been promoted to vice president of Guaranty Bank and Trust in Greenville. Lewis, a Greenville ...
Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges.(People to Watch)(Patricia R. Dickens been appointed)(Brief Article)
Feb 06, 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 of McComb, who ...
Cadence Regional Bank.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 Corporation, branch manager for Budget Financial ...
Synergetics DCS Inc.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 2006 ... Nate Hewett, Synergetics network engineer, has successfully completed the CISCO Design Associate (CCDA) Certification ....
Mississippi Blood Services.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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 ...
Wachovia Bank.(People to Watch)
Feb 06, 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)
Feb 06, 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 public and/or private strategic alliances and ...
Jobless numbers indicate Katrina still affecting workforce.(Strictly Business)
Feb 06, 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 increased unemployment noted in the revised ...
Freddie Mac buying MHC bonds.(Strictly Business)
Feb 06, 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 Mississippi's Hurricane Katrina disaster areas ....
DuPont plant operating again.(Strictly Business)
Feb 06, 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 work done at DeLisle since the hurricane ...
Emerald launches Abacus.(Strictly Business)(Emerald Coast Software Company )(Brief Article)
Feb 06, 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 paperwork such as human resources documents, ...
Isle raises expectations.(Strictly Business)(Capri Casinos Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 06, 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 between $0.09 and $0.13 per share. ...
Bonner Travel merges.(Strictly Business)
Feb 06, 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 merging with Bryan Tours/MTS Travel, ...
State may issue Katrina Bonds.(Strictly Business)
Feb 06, 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 private-activity bonds, modeled after ...
First Hilton Garden opens.(Strictly Business)
Feb 06, 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 license agreement with Hilton Inns ...
Peoples sees stronger quarter.(Strictly Business)(Peoples Financial Corp.)(Brief Article)
Feb 06, 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. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 ...
Entergy makes historic deal.(Strictly Business)
Feb 06, 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 have signed a second transaction for the ...
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)
Feb 06, 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 development will consist of 40,000 square ...
Local politicos unlikely to suffer from plant involvement: implications 'probably not what people outside North Mississippi think they are,' says one longtime political observer.
Feb 06, 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 heads has been fodder for newspaper cartoonists ...
Prefab cottage may replace trailers as temporary housing.
Feb 06, 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 housing that could be designed for ...
Mississippi Power exec named Business Woman of the Year.(Interview)
Feb 06, 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 truly honored to have been selected," ...
Poplarville businesses 'have been going gangbusters'.
Feb 06, 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 evacuees and workers, stoplights would have come in ...
Bank rebounding from Katrina's severe storm damage.(Focus)
Feb 06, 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 protect your home, and you go to work ...
Mississippi Young Bankers: another successful year for org.(Focus)(Ted C. Williams )
Feb 06, 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 his days at Mississippi State University (MSU) ....
Bankers turn attention to range of issues in session: Prudent Investor Rule would bring state into mainstream, says MBA director.(Banking & Finance)
Feb 06, 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 compliance, encourage diversification of ...
Mortgage bankers see changing market as region recovers.(Focus)
Feb 06, 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 Coast wide. Dan Zoble, vice president ...
Relationships critical, but easy to misunderstand.(Banking Today)
Feb 06, 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 approach is pretty straightforward: bankers ...
Banks.
Feb 06, 2006 ... <Pre> Bank Executive Address Telephone/Fax Regions BankJackson W. Moore 417 20th St. N.,(205) 244-2855/(334) Birmingham, AL 35202...
Memo to biz: advertising doesn't have to be an expense.
Feb 06, 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 need to boost your sales. Why in the ...
Outdoor-related legislation demands careful scrutiny.(Outdoor Impact)
Feb 06, 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 in both the House and the Senate deal ...
Events.(Calendar)
Feb 06, 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 is $80 plus u 81(1 materials fee. To ...
Waiting for more indictments?
Feb 06, 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. "I think everybody was shocked it was as corrupt as it ...
Knowledge of culture essential to success overseas
Feb 06, 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 important to successful business dealings abroad. A ...
Local politicos unlikely to suffer from plant involvement
Feb 06, 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 heads has been fodder for newspaper cartoonists and ...
Prefab cottage may replace trailers as temporary housing
Feb 06, 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 housing that could be designed for hurricanes ...
Mississippi Power exec named Business Woman of the Year
Feb 06, 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, I'm truly honored to have been selected," said ...
Poplarville businesses 'have been going gangbusters'
Feb 06, 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 evacuees and workers, stoplights would have come in ...
Bank rebounding from Katrina's severe storm damage
Feb 06, 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 protect your home, and you go to work straightening ...
Mississippi Young Bankers: Another successful year for org
Feb 06, 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 his days at Mississippi State University (MSU). The need ...
Bankers turn attention to range of issues in session
Feb 06, 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 compliance, encourage diversification of investments ...
Mortgage bankers see changing market as region recovers
Feb 06, 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 Coast wide. Dan Zoble, vice president and ...
Returning Guard troops get assistance--And jobs back
Feb 13, 2006; ... Last month, the final members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team still deployed in Iraq returned home, representing the single largest deployed unit in Mississippi since World War II. While the homecoming has been joyous, the deployment and adjustment period has been understandably ...
Trustmark wins Governor's Award for support of arts, culture
Feb 13, 2006; ... Wherever you attend a cultural event, whether it be a small town in East Mississippi, downtown Jackson or down on the Coast, there's a good chance Trustmark National Bank is there. "They give back, and they give back in a big way," said Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Arts ...
Hancock Fabrics launches performance initiatives
Feb 13, 2006; ... BALDWYN - Hancock Fabrics Inc. has unveiled several strategic restructuring initiatives designed to improve the company's performance. Additionally, Hancock Fabrics announced that it will re-inventory all stores prior to finalizing results for its fiscal year, which ends January 28, ...
Competitive corporate income tax rates a draw?
Feb 13, 2006; ... Because taxation is the 400-pound gorilla roaming the State Capitol this legislative session, is it time for a look at Mississippi's corporate income tax structure, even though low rates make us competitive with neighboring states? "Look at the things that have happened at automobile ...
Winners pleased with Best Places to Work recognition
Feb 13, 2006; ... Sixty-seven Mississippi companies made the final cut for the first-ever Best Places to Work recognition program. At the Mississippi Business and Technology EXPO 2006 kick-off breakfast January 18, three companies in each of the four size categories were recognized as attaining the pinnacle of ...
Rentech looking to build CTL plant in Mississippi
Feb 13, 2006; ... ADAMS COUNTY - It's economic development in its purest form. A former golf course located just south of Natchez is being targeted for a new manufacturing plant that could have a price tag as high as $1 billion and employ hundreds of local workers. If the project comes to fruition, there ...