About the Madison County Business League & Foundation

Our Board

Wesley Goings, Chairman
Telapex, Inc.

Ray Balentine, Vice Chairman
Michael Baker International

Renee Rice, Secretary/Treasurer
BankFirst

Barney Daly, Immediate Past Chairman
Trustmark National Bank

Alveno Castilla, Director
Butler Snow

Brad Gatlin, Director
BankPlus

Charlotte Seals, Director
Madison County Schools

Doug Hederman, Director
Hederman Brothers

John Geary, Director
Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush

Nicky Cobb, Director
Renasant Bank

Samantha Barnett Lofton, Director
Barnett's Body Shop

Stan Wright, Director
Neel Schaffer, Inc.

Doug Jones, MCEDA Appointee

Gerard Gibert, MCEDA Appointee

Calvin Harris, MCEDA Appointee

Ex-Officio directors:

Mayor William Truly
City of Canton

Mayor Leslie Childress
Town of Flora

Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler
City of Madison

Mayor Gene McGee
City of Ridgeland

Advisory Board

Cecil Harper, Past Chairman
Harper Rains Knight & Company

Phil Buffington, Past Chairman
Adams and Reese

G. Todd Burwell, Past Chairman
G. Todd Burwell, P.A.

Sam Kelly, Past Chairman
Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes

Anne Marie Smith, Advisory Board
4 Top Hospitality

Dr. Don Burnham, Advisory Board
Holmes Community College

Ed Boyington, Advisory Board
Vertex Aerospace

Matt Davidson, Advisory Board
Atmos Energy

Murray Harber, Advisory Board
Mississippi Business Group on Health

Paul Musick, Advisory Board
Yates

Phyllis Johnson, Advisory Board
Mississippi Board of Nursing

Robbie J. Kemp, Advisory Board
Entergy MS, LLC

Rodney Grogan, Advisory Board
MMC Materials

Tina Lakey, Advisory Board

Trace Swartzfager, Advisory Board
St. Dominic - Jackson Memorial Hospital

Executive Director

Jan Coulter Collins, Executive Director
Madison County Business League & Foundation

Mary Kate Rankin, Executive Assistant
Madison County Business League & Foundation

Our Vision

The purpose of the Madison County Business League & Foundation is to act in partnership with the Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) to provide the County a unique opportunity to unite the public and private sectors; thereby, encouraging proper planning for future growth and development.

The Madison County Business League & Foundation is a privately funded 501 © 6 non-profit economic development stakeholder and support organization. More than just stakeholders, the role of the Business League is to unite the leading business owners, CEOs, presidents, and decision makers with elected/appointed officials, on all levels from local to federal, to discuss topics that affect economic development for Madison County. The League achieves this mission by hosting educational and informational forums, symposiums and other events to bring these individuals together. Topics addressed include healthcare, economic forecasting, education, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, among others. The League also host smaller events for the various committee members with senate and congressional staff members, MDOT officials, governor staffers, legislators, judiciary and other local and state elected/appointed officials.

It is vital to provide the Madison County Economic Development Authority with support to fuel continued success as it strives to implement a program of work, recruit business, and market Madison County. By serving in this capacity, the Madison County Business League & Foundation assists with moving vital projects from the drawing board to reality.

The Purpose of Our Voice

The Business League serves as a conduit for the flow of information between the private sector and the policy makers in local, state and federal government.
We promote the general economic welfare and development of Madison County, MS.
Our organization aids and assists the Madison County Economic Development Authority with the promotion, internal marketing, education, transportation, employment and other common interests of commercial enterprises in Madison County.
The Business League works in unity with the Madison County elected officials and MCEDA for the benefit of the community by supporting and promoting business growth, capital investment, overall quality of life and other factors associated with economic development.

The Mission of the Madison County Business League & Foundation

"The mission of the Madison County Business League & Foundation is to bring together, under one organization, the voice of numerous entities in order to establish a clear and concise message for the future. This organization, which is comprised of elected, appointed, business and individual leaders of Madison County, will enable all partners in business and economic development to participate collectively in bringing together the overall vision for Madison County."