February 26, 2014

Dear GJCP Members:

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is deeply saddened by Mayor Chokwe Lumumba’s departure from this earthly life.  He was a great leader, with unique personality and talent.  His keen intellectual grasp of the tough issues facing the City of Jackson was important, but it was his ability to rally everyone to action on those issues that truly made him special.  His time in office may have been cut short, but his impact on moving this city forward will have long standing implications. 

Today we grieve with the rest of the community, but we also cerebrate the achievements of Chokwe Lumumba.  We had a strong and productive working relationship with the Mayor.  Furthermore, in an unexpected twist, we developed a sincere personal relationship.  So today we grieve the loss of this dear friend, and realize how blessed we are to have had him as a leader and public servant.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Mayor Lumumba’s family, his friends and this community.

Sincerely,

Andy Taggart
Chairman of the Board
Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Duane O'Neill
President
Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

WIN meeting March 25

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen

11:30 am – registration; 12:00 Noon – Program begins

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is pleased to announce that our March WIN meeting will feature guest speaker Peter Sharp, owner of the Fairview Inn.  Peter will be discussing the impact Bed & Breakfast Inn’s have on local and state tourism.  In 2006, Peter & his wife, Tamar realized a life-long dream, purchasing the Fairview Inn in Jackson, MS and completed a multi-million dollar renovation, adding a restaurant and spa to the Inn. The Four Diamond Inn is now a full service urban Inn running a 62% year round occupancy. A year ago the Sharp’s added the Library Lounge and this January totally renovated the restaurant and banquet space and introduced 1908 Provisions Restaurant. The Fairview has gained notoriety for hosting the cast of the movie, The Help, and has been voted the Best B & B in Mississippi for the past four years by readers of Mississippi Magazine.

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 WIN is $17.00 for chamber members and $20.00 for prospective members. 

Reservations are required and must be received 2 days prior to the event.  If you would like to attend the March 25^th WIN meeting, PLEASE email Debi Green immediately, dgreen@greaterjacksonpartnership.com .  We look forward to seeing you there! 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2014 WIN SPONSOR:

GJCP's 19th Annual Metro Teacher Recognition Luncheon

Twelve metro teachers were recognized at the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership’s 19th Annual Metro Teacher Recognition Luncheon February 20 at the Old Capitol Inn. David Gates, GJCP Chairman Elect and president of Atmos Energy, Brad Maley of Bancorp South, Emcee Jeff Good of Bravo! Broadstreet & Sal and Mookies and Susan Hart of Sylvan Learning Center spoke at the event. Gates and Maley gave out awards to the teachers.

Sponsored by BancorpSouth, this program is not an attempt to select the "best" teacher, but is a means of honoring individuals who represent the excellent teachers in the metro area.

A program that began in 1995, the Metro Teacher Recognition Program is an initiative of the Regional Quality of Life Division designed to honor truly outstanding teachers from the metro area. Each November, Principals and PTA’s for metro area K-12 schools (private/parochial/ public) are sent nomination forms with instructions to select a member of their faculty that best defines the role of an outstanding educator. Based on criteria set forth by a teacher selection committee, thirteen teachers were selected and named as the Metro Teacher Recognition honorees.

This year’s winners include:

Susan Bender – Jim Hill High School
Jamie Dickson – Germantown High School
C. Monique Lastique – Davis Magnet School
Lexie Gosselin – StoneBridge Elementary
Deborah Lightsey – Ridgeland High School
Vicki Mercier – Pelahatchie Attendance Center
Barbara Neely – Jackson Academy
Michelle Robinson – Madison Central High School
Diane Smith – Power APAC
Kimberly Van Uden – Jackson Preparatory School
Charlotte Walker – Clinton High School
Heather Westerfield - Pearl High School

GJCP provides Candy Bars to Murrah's Career Day

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership provided the “Payday” and “Zero” candy bars that will be used in Murrah High School’s annual Reality Fair on February 26 and 27, 2014. Murrah High School is one of two schools “adopted” by the Partnership.

A Reality Fair is a simulated real world experience that demonstrates to students the importance staying in school and getting a good education if they want to have a high quality life in their future. Students successfully completing the Reality Fair get a “Payday” and those that fail it get a “Zero” candy bar.

Pictured (from left): Lewis Slater with the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, Shemeka Hawkins, Murrah High School Counselor and Reality Fair Coordinator; Connie Navarro-Allen, teacher at Murrah; Damian Davis, teacher at Murrah; Shirley Tucker with the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership; and Niki Lowery with the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

GJCP 2013 Annual Meeting was held Jan. 22

Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Annual Meeting Jan. 22

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership’s 2013 Annual Meeting was held at the Jackson Convention Complex Jan. 22.  
 
The event featured Governor Phil Bryant and Get on Up Director and Jackson native Tate Taylor. Socrates Garrett, 2013 Chairman, gave a review of the activities and accomplishments of 2013 and 2014 Chairman Andy Taggart discussed priorities for the coming year.
 
Award-winners included:
 
Nissan received Outstanding Business of the Year. This award is given to the metro area business that has gone about and beyond in support of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and its programs.
 
Howard Catchings with Catchings Insurance Agency received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have "made a difference" in  the community. The award provides special recognition to individuals who have provided outstanding service over a sustained period of years to the community.

Rosemary Maxey with the Capital City Convention Center Commission, won Ambassador of the Year. Ambassadors volunteer their time to carry out several tasks on behalf of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership while also representing their own company. Ambassadors vote on who they feel is most deserving of the honor.
 
Socrates Garrett, 2013 Chairman of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, passed the gavel to the 2014 Chairman Andy Taggart of Taggart, Rimes & Graham, PLLC.
 
Ambassadors in the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership’s 2013 Chairman’s Council include Lashanda Alexander, Paul Bowers, David Broadaway, Vanda Crowe, Penny Danford, Jason Duren, Fran Flood, Amanda Fontaine, Diann Fulgham, Carolyn Harrison, Pat Ladnier, Rosemary Maxey, Lanet McCrary,  Pam McGee, Derrel Palmer, Pam McGee, Derrel Palmer, Willie Robins, Eric Sokolsky, Ouida Watson, Amber Williams, and Jamie Woods.

  

GJCP 2013 Chairman's Council

Vision 2022 Campaign Update

The funding campaign supporting Vision 2022 continues to make great strides.

Nearly $3 million has been raised to date as the business community, individuals and local foundations line up to be a part of this bold multi-year plan to transform the Greater Jackson Region into a destination community that attracts businesses, families, young professionals and tourists for its quality of place and economic opportunity.

“This 10-year plan is the most comprehensive and forward thinking plan Greater Jackson has ever undertaken,” said Bill Lampton, Chairman of the Vision 2022 Campaign Cabinet.  “Every dollar raised goes to support the goals and objectives of the plan.  The excitement in the community and among our local elected officials continues to build and we are very optimistic about a successful end to the campaign later this year.”

Duane O’Neill, President and CEO of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership explained, “Companies and organizations of all sizes are getting behind this effort and making campaign commitments because they realize that a vibrant and growing Greater Jackson Region is critical to their future and their children’s future.”

“We are well positioned to reach our goals, but we are not there yet,” said Bill Lampton.  “We are looking to close this campaign out over the next few months and need everyone to get on board.”

If you have an interest in making a commitment to support the Vision 2022 funding campaign and would like to learn more, please call Debi Green at the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership at (601) 948-7575 or email her at dgreen@greaterjacksonpartnership.com.

Medical Community News

"The first lung transplant, the first heart transplant and now the first time a baby has been cured of an H.I.V. infection - this news from the University of Mississippi Medical Center is proof that the Mississippi medical community continues to lead the nation in innovative research and surgery! Congratulations to UMMC and the Blair E. Batson Hospital for this amazing news. This puts our state on the map for leading health care initiatives throughout the country." - Duane O'Neill, President & CEO of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Click here for the article!

Vision 2022

Click here for the Vision 2022 Plan!