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The annual Simpson County Development Foundation yearly banquet was held at the Simpson County Country Club, Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Executive Director Pat Brown welcomed members and guest.
Bill Cork, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, was the featured speaker. Under Cork’s leadership, MDA recruited record shattering new investments to the state totaling more than $31billion in new capital investment and the creation of more than 21,000 jobs.
Cork’s presentation was a presentation on Economic Development 101 as he told the group about the proper way of recruiting business to the community. Cork spoke about the importance of governmental entities all working together within a community. He discussed how Social, Economic and Environment factors all shape our community and described this as a “sustainable development model.” These basic entities create different substandard categories which play a significant role in future development.
Executive director Pat Brown highlighted the years accomplishments.
Faith Kennedy, owner of Lakeview and Strong River Villa, was recognized at the April 29, 2025, Simpson County Development Foundation banquet as the outstanding business of the year. Amarylis Carter presented the award.
Faith Kennedy, Am Carter, and Pat Brown “The Community Partner of the Year” went to again businesses located in both Magee and Mendenhall. Magee General and Simpson General Hospital were recognized not only for the services they provide to the community but as also major employers in the community. Healthcare-related assets in Simpson County represent one of the largest employers.
Matthew Windham, of Simpson General Hospital, SGH board member Dewayne Middleton and Magee General Hospital board member Robbie Barnes accepted the ally of the year for the county hospitals.
President Dylan Sanford conducted a short business session approving past minutes and conducting the approval of the upcoming officers and directors.
Officers and directors elected for the Fiscal year 2026:
President: Dylan Sanford
President-elect: Riley Runnels
Secretary-Treasurer: Allison Shivers
VP Government Rel: Tim Gray
VP Economic Dev: Eric Adikins
VP Community Dev: Matthew Windham
VP Stakeholder: Amarylis Carter
Directors: Ralph Walker, Tyler Cheramie, Ian Cowart, Bennie Palmer
Lisa Hilton, Matt Lee, Kyle Russell, Faith Kennedy, Josh Allen, Marc McMillian, Pam Wallace, and Latoya Williams
Officers and directors elected for the Fiscal year 2026:
President: Dylan Sanford
President-elect: Riley Runnels
Secretary-Treasurer: Allison Shivers
VP Government Rel: Tim Gray
VP Economic Dev: Eric Adikins
VP Community Dev: Matthew Windham
VP Stakeholder: Amarylis Carter
Directors: Ralph Walker, Tyler Cheramie, Ian Cowart, Bennie Palmer
Lisa Hilton, Matt Lee, Kyle Russell, Faith Kennedy, Josh Allen, Marc McMillian, Pam Wallace, and Latoya Williams
The event was catered by Lexi Fortenberry.
MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi
