TCDF Recognizes Mississippi Silicon as Industry of the Year

From left to right, Steve Crane, CEO, Main Street Cycle; Mayor James Tennyson; Joel Crane, VP, Main Street Cycle; Mayor John Castleberry; Toney Mobley; Amanda Mobley; Neil Davis; Jackie Bryant, 2017 Chairman, Tishomingo County Development Foundation; Fred Truesdale, Administrator, North Mississippi Medical Center Iuka; Supervisor Brandon Grissom; Mayor David Nixon; Eddie Broadwine, Chief Operations Officer, Mississippi Silicon; Jim Burroughs, Production Services Manager, Mississippi Silicon; Mark Ivey, Director of Human Resources, Mississippi Silicon; and President Ricky Ford, Northeast Mississippi Community College.

November 16, 2017, Paden, Mississippi

The Tishomingo County Development Foundation annual meeting was held on November 16, 2017, at Fellowship Christian Retreat at Crows Neck. The invocation was given by Pastor Kerry Powell with Iuka United Methodist Church. The meal was prepared by the volunteers of Fellowship Christian Retreat. BancorpSouth, Community Spirit Bank, First American National Bank, and Renasant Bank helped cover part of the cost of the meal.

The Industry of the Year Award was presented by Mayor David Nixon to Mississippi Silicon. Mayor Nixon stated that “Mississippi Silicon is the largest private investment in the history of Tishomingo County and has plans for even more investment.”

The Business of the Year Award was presented by Mayor James Tennyson to Main Street Cycle. Mayor Tennyson announced that “Main Street Cycle was the number one Hisun dealer in the USA.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented by Mayor John Castleberry to Toney and Amanda Mobley. Mayor Castleberry reported that “Toney and Amanda Mobley have dedicated years to volunteer service, especially during the last few years to Friends of the Park at Tishomingo State Park.”

The Development of the Year Award was presented by Brandon Grissom to Northeast Mississippi Community College Iuka. Brandon Grissom emphasized that “job training is vital to the future of Tishomingo County and our citizens. No one does job training better than Northeast Mississippi Community College.”

The Bob Yarber Leadership Award was presented by Neil Davis to Harold Lomenick. Neil Davis reported that “this award was started several years ago in memory of Bob Yarber to recognize those outstanding leaders who have made a difference in Tishomingo County.”

A special award was presented by Mayor James Tennyson to North Mississippi Medical Center Iuka for its 5 Star rating and for the 2017 Quest Award. Mayor Tennyson stated that “the Iuka hospital is the only 5 Star hospital in Mississippi and is one of only six hospitals in the USA to receive the Quest Award.” Hospital Administrator Fred Truesdale reported “that the Iuka hospital has implemented a stroke center via telemedicine as a new service to the community.”

Mayor Buddy Wiltshire reported on nominations for the Tishomingo County Development Foundation board of directors for 2018--Sidney Whitehurst as chairman; Butler Whitehead as Vice Chairman; Dale Curtis as Secretary Treasurer; Eric Daniel as First Vice Chairman; and Don Hall, Royal Witcher, Darrin Caldwell, and Malcolm Kuykendall as new members of the board. The nominations were approved unanimously.

NEMCC President Ricky Ford reported that “as a former coach, I understood that to win, you have to surround yourself with the best people, and that is what we have done at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

My goal has been to place a branch campus in all five counties served by Northeast Mississippi Community College.

We polled industry leaders throughout our five counties to determine what they needed as far as job applicants and workers. We designed the manufacturing academy to meet those needs, and the first manufacturing academy is located in Tishomingo County.”

NEMCC Division of Workforce Training and Economic Development Project Manager Greg James stated “the manufacturing academy is not where it needs to be. Some people have a misconception of manufacturing being a low-tech, dirty job. That’s no longer true. The other reason is that people don’t understand the program. That’s where we need help. Manufacturers need to improve their image while the community needs to champion this effort for the benefit of every resident of Tishomingo county. With everyone’s help, we expect the academy will provide business and industry with qualified applicants, prepare citizens for the work place of the future, and create a better future for workers and their families.”

President Ford said “young people of today need help to understand both the challenges and the opportunities in the modern work place.”

2018 Chairman Sid Whitehurst presented 2017 Chairman Jackie Bryant with a certificate of appreciation.

The 2017 annual report can be found at www.tishomingo.org.

The 2018 Tishomingo County Development Foundation board of directors include Alvia Blakney; Jackie Bryant, Past Chairman; Darrin Caldwell; Mayor John Castleberry, Iuka; Greg Collier, President, Board of Supervisors; Ken Cooley; Peyton Cummings; Dale Curtis, Secretary-Treasurer; Neil Davis; Ted Day; Eric Daniel, First Vice Chairman; Ralph Farr; Mayor Davy Ginn; Harold Gist; Robert Grisham; Don Hall; Beth Hudson; Malcolm Kuykendall; Steve McAnally; Mike Montgomery; Mayor David Nixon, Burnsville; Charlotte Orick; Mayor Pam Oswalt, Paden; Jimmy Ramsey, Chairman, Economic Development Authority; Mayor James Tennyson, Tishomingo; Fred Truesdale; Butler Whitehead, Vice Chairman; Sidney Whitehurst, Chairman; Mayor Buddy Wiltshire, Belmont; and Royal Witcher.

The 2018 Tishomingo County Economic Development Authority board of directors include Daryl Chambers; Charles Emmons, Vice Chairman; Max Ray Hutcheson; Harold Gist; Toney Mobley; Charlotte Orick, Secretary-Treasurer; Jimmy Ramsey, Chairman; Jimmie Seago; Butler Whitehead; and Tommy Williams.

The 2018 Tishomingo County Tourism Council includes Ellen Ayers, Vice Chair; Barbara Blakney, Secretary-Treasurer; Natalie Coker; Mary Ann Grant, Chair; Sandra Medlin; Leigh Ann Robertson; and Buddy Wiltshire.