For the seventh consecutive year, Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC (ATA) has been deemed a top 200 accounting firm in the United States by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA), an award-winning newsletter for the public accounting profession. ATA increased its standing on the list to 134, two places higher than last year’s ranking of 136.

IPA utilizes net revenues of participating firms as well as the annual IPA Survey and Analysis of Firms to determine the lists of the 100, 200, 300 and 400 U.S.-based firms.

“ATA is regularly working to improve our firm and our reputation in the public accounting world,” said Managing Partner John Whybrew. “This recognition from IPA proves that we are making progress toward the goals we have set for the firm and serve as motivation to keep moving forward.”

IPA, founded in 1987, is published by The Platt Group. The Platt Group publishes both the award-winning INSIDE Public Accounting newsletter and the award-winning National Benchmarking Report, along with other key reports on the profession. The Platt Group assists firms to become more successful through a variety of services.

View the full IPA Top 400 rankings here.

About Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC (ATA)

ATA is a long-term business advisor to its clients and provides other services that are not traditionally associated with accounting. For example, Revolution Partners, ATA’s wealth management entity provides financial planning expertise; ATA Technologies provides trustworthy IT solutions; Sodium Halogen focuses on growth through the design and development of marketing and digital products; Adelsberger Marketing offers video, social media, and digital content for small businesses; and newly added ATAES a comprehensive human resource management agency.

ATA has 13 office locations in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. Recognized as an IPA Top 200 regional accounting firm, it provides a wide array of accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services for clients ranging from small family-owned businesses to publicly traded companies and international corporations. ATA is also an alliance member of BDO USA LLP, a top five global accounting firm, which provides additional resources and expertise for clients.

AMT-8 student Parker Sowder from Bolivar High School and his mother, Candy, talk with Andy Deakins of Quality Metal Stamping during the kick-off reception on Tuesday, July 20th.

Students of Jackson State Community College’s Advanced Maintenance Technician (AMT) work cooperative met with their new employers at a reception on Tuesday, July 20. The event, held in the Student Center, marks the beginning of the cooperative’s eighth year.

The 22 students in the Engineering Systems Technology program met with 20 manufacturers and are now ready to begin the two years of classes and on-the-job training that will then lead to a great-paying career as a highly-skilled maintenance technician.

Over the past eight years, the consortium of manufacturers partnering with JSCC has grown from 15 to 30 members. Local manufacturers created this consortium as a partnership with JSCC in an effort to address the severe shortage of skilled trades that exists locally and nationwide.

Since the creation of the AMT work cooperative in 2014, 133 graduates have been employed with area businesses and other locations around the globe. AMT Completion Coordinator Cathi Roberts said that around 20 students are admitted in the cohort every year. “We would like to recruit as many as 40 students every year,” said Roberts, “but the old perceptions of manufacturing environments still prevail and keep many people from considering this awesome opportunity.”

Manufacturing jobs have transformed through the years. Safety is the priority, and working conditions have dramatically improved. They require highly skilled employees, and annual wages typically range from $42,000 to $60,000.

“It’s not uncommon for our graduates to earn an annual salary of $75,000 after a couple of years on the job,” said Roberts. “In fact, there have been a number of graduates who have exceeded $100,000 due to the abundance of overtime opportunities at many companies.”

Roberts notes that students who complete the 5-semester work cooperative are all but guaranteed that they will be in a great-paying job the Monday following graduation. “Every graduate has employment offers prior to graduation,” she said.

Students attend two full days of classes each week, learning subjects such as electricity, fluid power, mechanics, automation and robotics. They spend three days working at a local manufacturing company. They are paid for their work on a graduated scale, earning $15 an hour during the first semester and $17 an hour during the last semester. When students take advantage of either Tennessee Promise or Tennessee Reconnect scholarships, a graduate is able to earn their degree and incur no debt.

To participate, students enrolled at Jackson State must complete a job application and write a 500-word essay. They then attend a series of interviews over the course of an hour with representatives from local manufacturing companies. The companies then select the students that are the best fit.

More information about the admissions process and an application for the AMT program, visit JSCC.edu/amt or contact Roberts at 731-425-9584 or email her at CRoberts7@jscc.edu.

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson has been named vice president, talent development of the Jackson Chamber. Johnson recently served as the executive director of the Henderson | Chester County Chamber of Commerce in Henderson, TN, since 2009. As vice president, talent development, Johnson will implement the chamber’s workforce development strategy, serving as an essential part of the organization’s economic development team. In addition, she will assist as the liaison between workforce stakeholders and educational institutions to identify and meet the growing demands in our labor region.

“An important component of any economic development strategy is communicating the needs of our businesses with educational providers, ensuring that the community has the workforce to support business growth,” said Mandy White, Jackson Chamber, senior vice president of economic development. “Emily’s experience will allow her to hit the ground running, engaging with our existing businesses and the educational providers to help prepare the future workforce.”

“Emily not only brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills to this position,” says Kyle Spurgeon, Jackson Chamber, president/CEO, “she is well-known in the West Tennessee community and has a love for workforce development.”

Johnson is a Tennessee Certified Economic Developer, a Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives Institute graduate, and a graduate of TVA’s Rural Leadership Institute and Workforce Institute. She serves as secretary for the Henderson Regional Planning Commission, is a WestStar Class of 2011 member, and in 2018, she received a Jackson Area Business and Professional Women Sterling Award. Emily is a Leadership Chester Class of 2009 graduate, and she currently directs both the Adult and Youth Chester County Leadership Programs.

Emily serves as the Chester County Imagination Library chairman, has served two terms on the Chester County Carl Perkins Advisory Council, and was the committee chair for the Class of 2019 Chester County Project Graduation. In her free time, she loves being outside on her “mini-farm” and during the summer, she enjoys spending the weekends at the river with her husband and children.

"I have always admired the Jackson Chamber for its great work in Jackson and the West Tennessee region and I am honored to be joining the team,” says Johnson.

Emily will become a Jackson Chamber team member on August 11, 2021. You can connect to her after that date by emailing ejohnson@jacksontn.com or calling 731-423-2200.

• General apparel that costs $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.

• Apparel items priced at more than $100
• Items sold together, such as shoes, cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum
• Items such as jewelry, handbags, or sports and recreational equipment

• School and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paintbrushes

• School and art supplies individually priced at more than $100
• Items that are normally sold together cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum

• Computers for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less
• Laptop computers, if priced at $1,500 or less, also qualify as well as tablet computers

• Storage media, like flash drives and compact discs
• Individually purchased software
• Printer supplies
• Household appliances

There are few things more perfect on a summer night than live music on a front porch, and this #731Day, we're bringing back Jackson's new favorite event: #Porchfest! Enjoy FREE and family-friendly music from local musicians throughout the historic Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association area in the hospitable yards of your Jackson neighbors. Join in on the fun as long as you'd like, moving from house to house with your own lawn chair or picnic blanket and grabbing snacks from local food trucks along the route. This year we will be hosting all the stages around the block of Campbell Lake.

This year features eight artists showcasing the best of West Tennessee music across a variety of genres, presented by Jackson: Hidden Tracks with stages sponsored by 9 local businesses.  Join us Saturday, July 31, 2021, beginning at 2:30pm.

alice calvery | presented by west tennessee healthcare foundation

2:30 | 587 CAMPBELL STREET

Alice Hardin, known professionally as Alice Calvery, is an independent singer songwriter. She currently resides in Jackson, TN. Drawing from folk, gospel and classic country traditions her songwriting weaves together storytelling and spirituality. She was featured on Paste Music’s Daytrotter sessions and has released two EPs , one with Grammy winning artist Ben Tanner from the Alabama Shakes.

LISTEN

john pate & chloe lawson | presented by haven insurance partners

3:10 | 345 WESTWOOD AVE

John and Chloe are Singer/songwriters originally from the Jackson area. They now live in Nashville and are signed to Mixtape Music Publishing. They both bring their own unique style from indie pop to country rock. They are also alum of The University of Memphis Lambuth.

LISTEN

the kernal | presented by hub city deli & asia garden

3:50 | 300 WESTWOOD AVE

The Kernal, a Southern gentleman with an old soul who is tied deeply to the legacy and showmanship of the wandering musician and the historic Grand Ole Opry. Along with his band, the New Strangers, the Kernal tours the country with his home-grown brand of Southern mystique. LIGHT COUNTRY introduces us to a funny, whip-smart songwriter and musical stylist on these original tracks. The album opens with the sweeping gospel number, “Where We’re Standing,” which builds to a swirling electric guitar outro. He describes “Knock Kneed Ballerina” as a “shoulder-dance country song and a sort of personal, band- mission statement;” it’s also a knowing nod to the classic sound of ‘70s Nashville Countrypolitan hits and a poignant ode to musical also-rans everywhere. “At the Old Taco Bell” was inspired by a photo of a boarded up, derelict Taco Bell. “It’s about me moving into an abandoned, and therefore affordable, Taco Bell at some point in the future,” he deadpans. Elsewhere he tackles modern domesticity (the Harry Nilsson-esque “Cold Shoulder”), and ends on an apology of sorts for his choice of lifestyle, “I earned my degree but I would rather rake some leaves … Barely eatin’ and meetin’ my rent.”

LISTEN

cliff jksn | presented by turntable coffee counter

4:30 | 200 WESTWOOD AVENUE

From Jackson, TN, owner of JKSN&Co, Cliff is an artist & entrepreneur.

LISTEN

erin elle’ | presented by cpr cell phone repair

5:10 | 1022 PROSPECT AVE

Erin Rogers is a not a stranger to the Jackson, TN community. Known soulfully as Erin Elle’, she is a very talented artist who represents the Pop/R&B community. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she followed her dreams of becoming an educator and graduated from Lane College in Jackson, TN. Though this was initially her calling for coming to TN, she quickly took her talent of singing and used this to help her branch out locally and regionally to become more confident in her abilities to express herself. Not only is she skillful in singing, but she is also a very talented song writer who has used her talents to join the likes of local music team Iron Mavericks. She has written for various independent artists and continues to use both her skills of singing and writing today.

rob & jay | presented by jackson clinic ob/gyn department

5:50 | 300 CRESCENT AVE

We are two brothers in Jackson that love to write and play music together and we have music coming out very very soon.

LISTEN

alone jones | presented by personnel placements, llc

6:30 | 340 CRESCENT AVE

“My music is a representation of who I am and what I’ve been through.” Alone Jones , (Jayland Lyles) is a prolific Jackson Tennessee based singer whose music seemingly blends rock & smooth auto-tune- laced R&B. He started music at a young age, influenced by his mother and family and many local friends. He sung in the youth choir for years at his church in his hometown as a kid. After graduating high school he ran into a couple of setbacks on the way but never gave up his passion for music. He began teaching himself to produce himself on his own using Mixcraft. He now has a label of his own he is currently building from the ground up named Starz Entertainment. He released his first official Album in 2018 ‘Alone Jones’ which was his Break Out album that got his buzz going . He currently has collaborated with artist such as @SyAriDaKid , @GanstaYungin , @BigPhil , @Anthonyrhyme , which has also expanded his audience. He is going to be one to look out for in the future.

LISTEN

kelsea merriweather | presented by the katie hale team at town & country realtors

7:10 | 316 CRESCENT AVE

Jackson, TN-based singer, Kelsea Merriweather has an extraordinary way of cutting straight through to the core of her listeners’ emotions. She is in tune with her ministry and gospel roots quite naturally- as she grew up singing in a rural West TN church. Kelsea is a “worshiper first” and sure about her purpose and intentional about brining awareness to the presence of God. This gift that God has blessed me with- I will guard it sacredly and continue to use it to draw and uplift his people.”, she says. Outside of music, Kelsea serves as the HR Analyst for, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Tennessee. She obtained her AS at Jackson State Community College, BS in Psychology from the University of Memphis- Lambuth and her MBA in HR Management from Bethel University. Kelsea currently serves on the board for Keep My Hood Good, The Jackson Chamber- Leadership University, JACOA, Go Red Campaign- American Heat Association, and the University of Memphis- Lambuth Alumni board. She also serves as a board member for Greater Visions Church, while demonstrating her passion for singing and leadership as the Praise and Worship Leader and Teen Director.

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neighbors club after party at hub city brewery presented by jackson hidden tracks

HUB CITY BREWING | 8:30

The Neighbors Club supports the mission of Our Jackson Home to celebrate the people & stories of the city we all love, and makes free community events like Porchfest possible. Members of the Neighbors Club will receive free tickets based on their support level, but the event is open to everybody! Check out the links below to buy tickets or join the Neighbors Club.

JOIN THE NEIGHBORS CLUB

GET TICKETS

blvck hippie

Blvck Hippie is a Sad Boy Indie Rock Band from Memphis, TN, tryna show Black kids they can be weird too. “Blvck Hippie” is Josh Shaw’s childhood nickname, coined by his mom. Classically trained in piano, Shaw didn’t pick up a guitar until his junior year of college when he started to write and record Lo-Fi music out of his dorm room in Jackson, TN. Post-college, Shaw worked on solo projects under St. John until 2018 when he started making music as Blvck Hippie. Blvck Hippie is recommended if “you’re a fan of The Strokes but like your songs a little more moody” (From The Strait). Shaw credits Kanye West and Kid Cudi for inspiring him as a Black artist, pushing him to always make something different. Blvck Hippie’s “VHS” inspired rock pairs with Shaw’s dark, brooding lyrics, drawing on themes of escapism, loneliness, and grief to create the Sad Boy Indie Rock songs of your dreams. Current Band Members: Casey Rittinger, Joshua Shaw, Lynne Weldon, Past Band Members: Blake Galloway, Brooke Cage, Gus Carrington, Keegan Paluso, Mattie Turner, Rachel Simonton, Tyler Marberry

LISTEN

Shirley Jones

Shirley Jones, a long-time employee and former vice president of public affairs, has passed away. Our hearts are heavy with sadness at this time. Shirley retired in 2018 as vice president of public affairs. She began her service to the chamber as a volunteer upon graduating from the chamber's Leadership Jackson program, then becoming a staff member in 1994. Her leadership in the chamber totals 36 years.

Shirley was well known for her passion for education, huge heart for others and as a Rotarian. Her primary professional responsibility was governmental advocate for chamber members and businesses on the local, state and federal level. She managed the chamber's volunteer group, the Ambassadors, who referred to her as 'Mama Shirley,' coordinating ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, grand openings and special events they attended. In addition, she was responsible for overseeing the activities of the board of directors.

“Shirley Jones loved Jackson, TN, and she loved her people with all her heart,” said Kyle Spurgeon, president/CEO of the Jackson Chamber. “Her unwavering passion for public education improvements is one of the major reasons behind unprecedented support for Jackson-Madison County Public Schools and the progress across the board in our school system. She pushed us all to do better. Part of her legacy will be the future success of our school system and the growth of our community.”

“I had the privilege of working alongside Shirley at the Jackson Chamber for nearly two decades,” said Mandy White, senior vice president, economic development of the Jackson Chamber. “She was not only a mentor to me professionally, but became a close, personal friend through the years. It’s really special when someone you work with becomes a part of your extended family, and that’s what Shirley was to me. I’m so very grateful for her years of advice and support, both professionally and personally, and consider myself lucky for having her as a role model of what a true community servant looks like. I will miss her tremendously.”

Jones was engaged in Partners in Education (PIE) from 1983 to 2016, first as its coordinator for her previous employer, then as the founding chairperson of the Jackson Chamber's PIE Advisory Council as a volunteer, and finally as a chamber employee. She served as a local co-chair of the Jackson-Madison County Education Edge (School-to-Work) program and served on the State of Tennessee Education Edge Steering committee. She was instrumental in developing the Factory in the Factory program in Madison County, which offered summer externships for teachers and school counselors in local businesses and industries.

"Shirley was the eyes, ears and face of the Jackson Chamber at all County Commission, City Council, school board and Governmental Affairs meetings for many, many years," said Jimmy Harris, mayor of Madison County. "She was always up to date on current issues concerning our community, which made her invaluable in helping me, and all community leaders, understand how all the pieces fit together. She was very bright, well informed, always diplomatic, and never judgmental in relating our community's issues.

Shirley's love of and commitment to our community will be sorely missed, along with her loving embrace of her wealth of friends. I count it a blessing to be included in the group of friends who fondly called her 'Mama.'"

“Shirley was someone who loved people and loved Jackson. She provided so much support to so many people,” said Scott Conger, mayor of The City of Jackson. “She had so much knowledge and such a caring attitude that she wanted to make sure you were the best you could be. This was especially true when I served as Rotary Assistant Governor. Shirley took me under her wing and mentored me throughout the year. She was special.”

Jones' professional achievements included: graduate of US Chamber Institute for Organization Management; instructor for Governmental Affairs and Working with Volunteers sessions at the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Institute each March; recognized by the US Chamber and Tennessee Chamber for excellence in governmental affairs; third ever recipient of the Tennessee Champion of Commerce Award for outstanding lifetime achievement promoting business and free enterprise, presented by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry and given for outstanding service on the state level regarding advocacy for businesses and business issues; and she received the Jackson-Madison County Education Association Friend of Education Award in 1999. In addition, she has had a day declared for her twice. On February 10, 2000, 'Shirley Jones Day' was proclaimed by both city and county mayors for her contributions to the PIE program and education in Jackson-Madison County. February 6, 2018, was declared 'Shirley Jones Day' in the City of Jackson, recognizing her career accomplishments. And on July 17, 2021, Shirley was recognized with a Lifetime Service Award for decades of unselfish service to Rotarians of District 6760.

Her community involvement outside of work included membership on the Ayers Children Medical Center Advisory Board, Old Hickory Rotary Club, Rotary District 6760 Global Grant Scholarship Chairman and Assistant Governor Coordinator. She was also a facilitator for Rotary Leadership Institute.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Maury Memorial Gardens in Columbia, TN with Lee Stevenson officiating. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Find more information on Shirley and her service in The Jackson Sun.

Shirley is pictured with her David (husband), Darcy (daughter) and Cameron (son) at her retirement reception in 2018.

Lizzie Emmons

The Jackson Arts Council is very pleased to introduce Lizzie Emmons as their new Executive Director. Emmons will start in her new role at the Jackson Arts Council on Monday, August 2nd.

Emmons is a passionate advocate for the arts with prior experience in arts administration, graphic design, education, therapy, and both music performance and visual art. In her current role as Programs and External Operations Coordinator for the Department of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin, she oversees all marketing, communications and event coordination for the department. She is involved with various arts advocacy initiatives throughout West Tennessee. She is currently the Advocacy Coordinator for Weakley Arts Can and serves on the board of the Northwest Tennessee Arts Center. She has presented at many conferences on the benefits of the arts including the National Association for Multicultural Education’s Tennessee conference, the Tennessee Disabilities Mega Conference, UT Martin’s ARTStanding and, later this summer, at the Tennessee Arts Academy.

Emmons has a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Science in Education, both from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and is pursuing a certificate in Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While obtaining her master’s degree, Emmons served as an intern at the STAR Center in Jackson, TN where she was able to combine her arts and therapy background to work with clients. After graduation, she was able to apply these same skills to provide support to grieving families as a Bereavement Coordinator for Heartland Hospice in Perrysburg, OH.

Emmons is a native West Tennessean from Dyersburg, TN. She became a musician at an early age and, prior to attending college, played clarinet in both the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Dyersburg Community Orchestra. Emmons is passionate about giving back to her community and assisting with creating equal opportunities and access to the arts for all people.

Emmons will be relocating to the Jackson area with her husband, Jerry Emmons, who is also a musician and a percussion instructor for Union City High School and the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Ted Austin, President of the Jackson Arts Council Board of Directors commented: “We are very excited to welcome Lizzie into her new role as Executive Director and look forward to both her and the Jackson Arts Council enjoying great success as we look to the future!”

LIFELINE Blood Services location at 183 Sterling Farms Drive in Jackson, Tenn.

LIFELINE Blood Services is the sole supplier of blood to 17 local hospitals and 14 air ambulances. It serves all West Tennessee counties except for Tipton and Shelby Counties, and is also active in Houston and Humphreys Counties in Middle Tennessee.

LIFELINE has a rich history in Jackson and West Tennessee. In August 1947, Jackson Medical Laboratory and Blood Bank first opened its doors on the second floor of a building on Highland Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee. Four small Jackson hospitals were the Blood Center’s first customers. In 1950, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Blood Center’s application for a federal license to distribute whole blood and its components in the United States. In the 1960s, the Blood Center purchased its first bloodmobile - a used Trailways bus.

In 1972, the Blood Center was sold to a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. The name was changed to West Tennessee Regional Blood Center, Inc., dba LIFELINE. LIFELINE is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks, America’s Blood Centers, and Blood Centers of America. It is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Public Health and operates under U.S. license number 170, granted by the Food and Drug Administration.

Today, LIFELINE operates two fixed site locations: the Jackson Center at 183 Sterling Farms Drive and the Dyersburg Center located in Olympic Plaza on Highway 51. Three bloodmobiles go out into various parts of West Tennessee each day to collect donations as well. The organization employs approximately 75 people. LIFELINE staff must collect 525 units of whole blood per week to meet the needs of West Tennessee. The center also collects plasma and platelets through a process called apheresis. All of its donors are volunteers who give blood to help members of our community. "We cannot do what we do without our donors," says LIFELINE'S Marketing Manager, Caitlin Roach.

To learn more about LIFELINE, visit the website at LIFELINEBloodServ.org or contact Caitlin Roach, marketing manager, at 731.427.4431, ext. 106.