Executive Director
Jan Collins was named Executive Director of the Madison County Business League & Foundation in 2009. The MCBL&F was created to serve as stakeholders for the Madison County Economic Development Authority. It’s mission is to unite the business leaders with the elected officials, on all levels, to address topics that affect economic development such as infrastructure, education, workforce development, public policy, and quality of life for Madison County.
Jan is a Pascagoula native and graduated from USM with a BS in Marketing. Upon graduation, she entered the executive management training program with McRae’s Department Stores. During her years of employment with McRae’s she held numerous areas of responsibility including area store management and merchandising. As Better Updated Ladies Sportswear Buyer, she traveled to many domestic, European, and Asian markets where she assisted in designing private label merchandise for Frederick Atkins Wholesale in New York. After McRae’s, she worked with Dillard’s Department Stores in various management positions. Mrs. Collins had four years of non-profit organization experience with the Madison County Foundation from 2004-2008.
Gov. Phil Bryant appointed/reappointed Jan as a Consumer Member to the State Board of Nursing Board of Directors and she served two terms. She served on the USM Foundation Board of Directors and the USM Trent Lott National Center for Economic Development & Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. She was recognized by the Business Journal in 2018 as a Top CEOs in MS. She was proud to accept the Mississippi Business Journal Top Non-Profit Organization Award for the Madison County Business League & Foundation in 2019. Selected as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women in 2011, she now serves on the 50 LBW Advisory Board. Governor Tate Reeves appointed Jan to the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) in 2024.
Jan is an active member of the Madison Ridgeland Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and served as program chairman for 6 years. She was presented the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club James Young Award in 2022 which is the highest honor awarded to a club member who has demonstrated truly exceptional service. Since 2012 she has been a volunteer for the American Heart Association serving on the Mississippi Advocacy Committee, Chairman of the Metro Jackson AHA Go Red for Women Circle of Red and Passion Committees. Professional organization membership includes the Mississippi Economic Development Council, Mississippi Economic Council, and Professional Women’s Association of Jackson.
She is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Canton.
