We have a new look for our Video News. Check it out and see new members, ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, Chamber News and find out more about our Member Connection, PayChex, Inc. with Blake Karnes. 
Pictured left to right, Tim Plunkett and Delta's Corporate Branch Operations Manager David Gordon.
Delta Materials Handling, Inc. on 4480 N. Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tenn. recently received an award for Outstanding Performance for Non Road Vehicles from Tennessee Valley Association (TVA). Awards were recently presented to companies in the TVA region for outstanding performance.
TVA offers grant money for businesses to help with the purchase of electric forklifts. Delta Materials Handling, Inc. was the leading dealer in the regions for helping customers receive grant money.
Pictured left to right, Tim Plunkett and Delta's Corporate Branch Operations Manager David Gordon.
Delta Materials Handling, Inc. on 4480 N. Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tenn. recently received an award for Outstanding Performance for Non Road Vehicles from Tennessee Valley Association (TVA). Awards were recently presented to companies in the TVA region for outstanding performance.
TVA offers grant money for businesses to help with the purchase of electric forklifts. Delta Materials Handling, Inc. was the leading dealer in the regions for helping customers receive grant money.
All we want for Christmas is for you to have an AMAZING holiday with your family! Merry Christmas from the Jackson Chamber with Lauren Pritchard and Jeremy Tubbs. 
As the saying goes, “New Year, New Us.” Over the past year, we’ve had a lot of changes, but most notably, the addition of a new employee. Our city is growing and the need for tourism is growing, thus it’s only appropriate that our office grow as well. This year one of our goals is to put our name out there more. So as the new year comes around, allow us to reintroduce ourselves; a new “us.”
First and foremost, let me introduce our fearless leader, Lori Nunnery. She’s a total boss, literally. Lori is the Executive Director of Visit Jackson TN and has an impressive list of accomplishments and organizational involvement. She’s been in tourism for 9 years and just keeps getting better! She's an enthusiastic go-getter and has big plans for the future of Visit Jackson, and we’re excited to be along for the ride.
The next member of our crew is Paige Keith; she’s been with Visit Jackson for 4 years now. Not only is she the queen of sass, but she is also the creative of the group. She’s our Group Sales and Services manager. She serves as the face of Jackson at trade shows across the country and also as the star of the Jackson TN Weekend campaign (one of many products of her creative mind). Paige brings new people to Jackson and helps them see all there is to love about our wonderful city!
Last but certainly not least, the newest addition to the team, Madalyn Coffman. She’s a recent graduate of Mississippi State University and the only true Jackson native at Visit Jackson! Madalyn is the Visitor Coordinator, meaning she gets to talk to anyone and everyone who wants information about Jackson or help deciding what to do while here. As the new girl on the team, she’s always looking for new projects or ways to help promote the community. Though Jackson has always been her home, she learns cool new things about it all the time and loves sharing her knowledge with visitors and locals alike.
Now that you know a little about each of us, why don't we tell you what our goal is. We hope to positively impact our local economy and bring new faces to see and love Jackson like we all do. We try to provide you with anything and everything you would want to know about Jackson! We compile information about everything local, whether it's events, restaurants, attractions, or anything else. Between our visitors guide, our local events calendar, and our app, you'll get a comprehensive look at what's happening here in Jackson. Basically, we support our community and promote it to everyone else.
We are looking forward to seeing where the new year takes us next. You'll definitely be seeing more new content from us, so be on the lookout!
Happy New Year from your friends at Visit Jackson! Join park rangers and the Hardin County Visitor and Convention Bureau as we celebrate the establishment of Shiloh Battlefield as a National Military Park. On Friday, December 27, 2019, Shiloh National Military Park will commemorate the 125th anniversary of President Grover Cleveland signing into law, the legislation creating Shiloh National Military Park.
The event will begin at 2:00 pm in the Shiloh Battlefield visitor center auditorium. Visitors are invited to attend a park ranger presentation on the national military park movement in the 1890s, and the operation of Shiloh until the National Park Service took over in 1936. Following the program, at 2:30 pm, the Hardin County Visitor and Convention Bureau will present a cake to the park for visitors to enjoy. This event is free and open to the public.
Shiloh National Military Park was established on December 27, 1894, but for years after the battle only the Shiloh National Cemetery stood as a reminder of the epic two-day engagement. That was until veterans of the Battle of Shiloh, both North and South, reunited to establish a lasting memorial to their role in history. Shiloh was one of the first five Civil War battlefields preserved as national military parks, along with Chickamauga, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg.
The Shiloh National Military Park visitor center is open from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The park’s bookstore is open from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm during the winter season. For more information contact the park visitor center at 731 689-5696, go to the park website at www.nps.gov/shil, or find us on Facebook.
Lisa Meyers, president/owner of NEXTAFF in Jackson and Erica Mount, Staffing Specialist are shown left to right.
NEXTAFF is not your typical staffing and recruiting business. The company takes hiring to the next level by making sure personality, skills, dependability and integrity all fit your company through testing and interviewing. NEXTAFF in Jackson opened its doors in April 2019, becoming the first facility in Tennessee. The core belief is “The greatest power in any business is people power. No matter how much potential your business has…no matter how good your product or service might be…the thing that will determine the success or failure of your business is the effort and the dedication of the people who make up your business ‘team.’”
President/Owner Lisa Meyers of NEXTAFF in Jackson saw a need in the administrative and health care industry for business support services and workforce in the West Tennessee region. Her area of service includes Nashville to Memphis and Paducah, Kentucky. With 18 years in management - eight of those working in the employment staffing industry - and a strong desire for helping businesses succeed with strategic talent management, plus her entrepreneurial spirit, she opened the doors of NEXTAFF in Jackson. Her prior experience in customer service, recruiting, sales and upper-level management gave her a foundation for fulfilling business needs and establishing relationships for future business growth.
NEXTAFF specializes in health care, professional, administrative and light industrial staffing, and recruiting. The group will also go the extra mile for your business by sorting through stacks of resumes and condensing them to a more manageable, qualified stack.
One way NEXTAFF helps companies identify, evaluate and acquire quality talent is by using its proprietary X-Factor process. X-Factor is a customized set of hiring and screening tools developed with its clients that helps deliver a higher quality candidate. For example, these screenings could be a combination of the integrity test, cognitive test, and personality test - to name a few. These are arranged in a specific order to produce specific results.
For Meyers, results also include a passion for improving business operations in her community. This drives her involvement in various community programs. She was just announced as the new president for the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 2020 and currently holds positions with area nonprofits including the West Tennessee American Heart Association (board member), Lexington Civic League, Relay for Life-American Cancer Society, Henderson County Chamber (ambassador), along with volunteering for First Baptist Church where she worships in Lexington, TN.
Future plans for NEXTAFF include opening offices in various locations across West Tennessee. For more information, visit the website or call Lisa at 731-271-5677.
Leadership Jackson's Class of 2019 graduated on December 12, 2019 at Union University.
Thirty-one local business professionals graduated from the Jackson Chamber’s 41st Leadership Jackson (LJ) class on Thursday, December 12th at the Carl Grant Events Center at Union University.
Leadership Jackson, the chamber’s adult leadership development program, gives business professionals, employed with companies that are chamber members the opportunity to better understand the community, the opportunities and the challenges it faces. Class members visited community landmarks, met with area leaders and participated in weekly sessions about topics impacting Jackson-Madison County, including education, healthcare and government.
“The 41st Leadership Jackson class really took charge of their experience. Those of us aiding them in their growth and education couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve achieved,” says Russ McKelvey, Leadership Jackson 2019 co-chair and manager of Mack Pest Control. “Our community now has 31 individuals that are empowered in a way that will make Jackson better for years to come. Being able to see their success and learn from it has been uplifting to me. I’m thankful to have worked with this year’s class alongside Shelby Matthis, co-chair and Brandy Stutsman.”
During the graduation ceremony, class members were recognized for their achievements and received their Leadership Jackson graduate certificate of completion. The class chose Blake Beckham, who works at Jackson Christian, to be its spokesperson and share their reflections of going through the three-month program and how it will influence their lives. The class also selected Alexis Long, with Alexander Thompson Arnold, PLLC, as the 2019 class social chair. Long will be responsible for scheduling class meetings and coordinating the 2020 socials.
Nick Hayes, with Hiller Plumbing-Heating-Cooling- Electrical, was selected to be vice chair of Leadership Jackson in 2020. He will serve with McKelvey, who will assume the chairmanship.
Diamond Award recipient was Aaron Fitzgerald.
Five class members were recognized for their commitment and personal growth. Aaron Fitzgerald, Christian Brothers Automotive- Jackson; received the highest honor – the Diamond Award – for surpassing all requirements in Leadership Jackson. Jewel award recipients were Ryan Blake, West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex; Jennifer Graves, Union University; Brandon Shields, The Jackson Sun; and Beth Ann Simpson, University of Memphis Lambuth Campus.
Jewel award recipients include, left to right, Ryan Blake, Jennifer Graves, Brandon Shields and Beth Ann Simpson.
Leadership Jackson alumni who were recognized are Sabrina Anderson, Boys & Girls Club of Jackson, class of 2016, the Emerging Leader Award; Joseph Ross, The Bank of Jackson, class of 2014, the Community Observance of Personal Excellence (COPE) Award; Leigh Anne Bentley, Leaders Credit Union, class of 2008, the Harbert Alexander Award for Servant Leadership; and Clay Crockett, Stanley Black and Decker, class of 2014, the national Distinguished Leadership Award. Crockett’s award was created to recognize exceptional community leadership graduates who have made significant contributions to better their communities. The Association of Leadership Programs is a national association of leadership programs across the country.
Leadership Jackson alumni award winners include, left to right, Sabrina Anderson, Joseph Ross, Leigh Anne Bentley and Clay Crockett.
“It has been a pleasure to witness the 2019 class embrace ‘servant leadership’ since the program began in September,” said Brandy Stutsman, director of leadership development, Jackson Chamber. “The more they learn about Jackson-Madison County, the more they invest for the greater good of our community. It will be exciting to see their continued impact in serving others.”
The Leadership Jackson Class of 2019 graduates include:
Jennifer Alexander, Gerdau
Mike Baskin, Town & Country Realtors, Inc.-Joey Hale
Blake Beckham, Jackson Christian School
Jonathan Bell, BancorpSouth
Ryan Blake, West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex
Joey Conner, Conner Real Estate
Holly Dean, Regions Bank
Kristy Dew, Jackson Chamber
Dan Drogosh, theCO
Aaron Fitzgerald, Christian Brothers Automotive – Jackson
Jared Freeman, Leaders Credit Union
Jennifer Graves, Union University
Nick Hayes, Hiller Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Electrical
Dr. Nina Heckler, Class 101
Danielle Jones, Jackson Police Department
Christy Kelley, CanopyNation
Daniel Kennedy, Clay Williams & Associates, Inc.
Lauren Kirk, City of Jackson
Braylin Laster, Lane College
Alexis Long, Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC
Melanie Luckey, Jackson Energy Authority
Walker McWherter, Central Distributors, Inc.
Wendy Mercer, STAR Center, Inc.
Kelsea Merriweather, Toyota Bodine Aluminum
Tony Neihoff, RE/MAX Realty Source
Brandon Shields, The Jackson Sun
Beth Ann Simpson, The University of Memphis - Lambuth Campus
Jenci Spradlin, Jackson-Madison County Library
Dawn Thomason, FirstBank
Marda Wallace, City of Jackson (Councilperson)
Nikki Watlington, LIFELINE Blood Services
For more information on Leadership Jackson, visit its website at LeadershipJackson.com.
From left to right, Angela Wilson, Dr. Lisa Smith and Rosemary Arnoult, Wilson’s mother. Photo courtesy of Jackson State Community College.
Jackson, Tenn. (Dec. 10, 2019) – When Angela Wilson met Dr. Lisa Smith last summer at fall orientation, she told her, “you taught my mother.”
Smith, Professor of Art at Jackson State Community College, remembered. She taught Wilson’s mother, Rosemary Arnoult, some 40 years ago at Parkway Junior High School. It was Fall 1980, and Smith was beginning her first full-time teaching job.
This past semester, as she ends her teaching career, Smith taught Wilson and even hired the student as her office assistant. “I knew she would be excellent because her mother was so wonderful,” Smith said.
Wilson calls this past semester of getting to know and working with Smith an honor. “Even before orientation at Jackson State, my mom was telling me about one of her favorite teachers she had in junior high that now taught at Jackson State. That teacher was Dr. Smith. When orientation did arrive and I received an advisor, I didn’t realize it would be Dr. Smith.”
Her mother told Wilson that Smith is the same now as she was 40 years ago: bubbly, exuberant and fun. “If orange or pink were a person, it would be her,” Wilson said.
Teaching keeps you young, Smith said, adding that she has enjoyed her interaction with her students. Though she never had children of her own, she considers her students as her children. “Sometimes, they even ask for money,” she said, laughing.
“Once she starts laughing,” Wilson said, “there’s really no stopping her or yourself from joining in. You’ll usually know she’s coming by her cheerful sound down the hall. As far as teaching goes, she’s inspiring. She’s open to new ideas and techniques.”
Smith, who grew up on a farm in Gibson County, said “teaching tends to run in my family.” Her uncle was her eighth-grade teacher; her cousin was superintendent of Milan schools.
She graduated from Union University with honors and a bachelor’s degree in art and business administration. Her master’s degree in drawing and painting is from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and her doctorate in education is from the University of Memphis.
She spent six years teaching at Parkway Junior High, one year at the University School of Jackson and six years at Union University. In Fall 1995, Smith started at Jackson State and “found my home,” she said.
Smith is the only art professor at Jackson State. Her retirement in December 2019 means Jackson State will hire a replacement to start in Fall 2020. Smith taught extra courses in the fall semester to accommodate her students.
She’s looking forward to retirement. “I can’t wait to get into my studio and do artwork of my own.” She likes painting in all mediums and working with glass and hand-made paper. She also plans to travel with her husband, Jerry. She particularly likes to see famous artwork.
“I have enjoyed teaching so much,” she said. “I was going to teach for 30 years; all of a sudden 40 years went by.”
Leaders Credit Union Financial Champions pose at the Boys and Girls club after a day of service.
Leaders Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative based in Jackson, Tenn., spread holiday cheer with their 4th annual “From Leaders with Love” Christmas project. This season, over 100 Leaders Financial Champions performed 24 projects at the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson. Projects included deep cleaning the facility, assembling shelving, coat hooks, and foosball tables; painting and installing doors; raking leaves; spreading pea gravel; decorating for Christmas, and more. Christmas trees were also purchased for their additional locations.
“At Leaders, our mission is to make the lives of our members better,” said Todd Swims, president and CEO. “Our work at the Boys & Girls Club was simply an extension of our legacy and mission, and we are honored to be their advocate.”
Financial Champions rake leaves and spread pea gravel on the grounds of the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson.
Leaders released a compilation video on Giving Tuesday highlighting the projects and encouraging the community to Give Forward as well. Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson Sabrina Anderson said community members may volunteer both physically and monetarily to assist the club.
“Leaders work lifted the spirits of both our staff and our kids here at the Boys and Girls Club, and we can’t say thank you enough,” Anderson said. “If every organization would give back as Leaders did, we would never have any maintenance issues.”
Financial Champions deep cleaned classrooms and common areas at the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson.
To Give Forward to the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson, you can purchase from their wishlist at their Amazon Smile link.
To watch the video of From Leaders with Love, visit Leaders Facebook Page. To learn more about Leaders Credit Union, visit the website at Leaderscu.com.
About Leaders Credit Union
Leaders Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Jackson, Tenn. Leaders was established in 1957 by five Jackson educators and has grown to over 50,000 members and eight branches across West Tenn. As one of the largest and most stable credit unions in the nation, Leaders exists to serve the needs of its members and lead the way on their behalf. Leaders was awarded the 2018 Best Place to Bank and Best Mortgage Service by Jackson Sun’s Readers’ Choice Award and the 2018 Best Place to Bank by the Bartlett Express. Leaders is an Equal Housing Lender and is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. For more information about Leaders Credit Union, visit their website.