Leadership Mississippi Alumni Help Combat COVID-19
Leadership Mississippi Alumni across the state are doing remarkable things in the fight against COVID-19. Here are a few of their stories:
Penney Ainsworth - Class of 2020
Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi, President and CEO
Serving the Greater Jackson community by offering free Grab&Go meals for all youth. They are also implementing various outreach efforts to encourage youth to stay healthy and mentally engaged and stimulated during these challenging times. "My biggest concern, as a leader, is to make sure our young people have access to healthy meals and activities." says Ainsworth.
Click Here for The Boys and Girls Club Story
Penny Danford - Class of 2014
TempStaff, Business Development Manager
and
Jamie Higdon - Class of 2013
TempStaff, Vice President
Serving the state by cleaning out their personal protective equipment (PPE) closet and donating supplies to UMMC Giving Matters.
Click Here for the TempStaff Story
Tearsanee Davis - Class of 2017
UMMC, Director of Clinical and Advanced Operations
Serving the state alongside her team by managing and operating the C-Spire Health telehealth app that offering effective triage to patients during this COVID-19 crisis. Her team also runs an operating hotline.
David Gates - Class of 2008
Atmos Energy, MS Division President and Past MEC Chair
Serving the state as an organization by donating $9,200 to Mississippi Food Network to provide meals for our communities during this critical time of need. This funding allows Mississippi Food Network to continue to provide a much-needed service to the students in the Jackson Public School system.
Click Here for The Atmos Energy Story
Mark Henderson - Class of 2016
Lazy Magnolia Brewery, Owner
Serving the Gulf Coast community during COVID-19 by making hand sanitizer, in-house, using a drum of their denatured food-grade alcohol. "It was completely unexpected. It recoups cost of materials, keeps people employed, and gives the community something it needs."
Click Here for The Lazy Magnolia Brewing Story
Rosalyn Howard - Class of 2006
Mississippi Nurses Foundation, Executive Director; Mississippi Nurses Foundation Board of Directors
Serving the state by enacting the Nurse in Need Program. "The Mississippi Nurses Foundation Nurse in Need program provides financial assistance up to $500 to Mississippi nurses who are members of the Mississippi Nurses Association during hardship, such as a loss of employment, physical injury, disaster, travel cost, childcare, supplies, etc.”
Phyllis Johnson - Class of 1997
Mississippi Board of Nursing, Executive Director
Serving the state by enacting a temporary disaster permit as a means to offset the current healthcare needs. "This new guideline will allow retired nurses, recent nursing school graduates and other eligible nursing applicants to receive a 120-day permit that will allow them to work within their scope of practice and provide more healthcare service to patients across the State of Mississippi."
Joni McClain - Class of 2015
McClain Lodge, Owner
Serving their community and patrons by taking extra sanitary and safety precautions on tours and their buffet offerings. They have also supplemented shortages in grocery stores by offering "an increased number of products available for our neighbors."
Click Here for The McClain Lodge Story
Greg Michel - Class of 2013
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Executive Director
Serving their community by taking calls on their COVID-19 hotline and collecting personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to distribute across the state to hospitals and testing sites.
Chris Monsour - Class of 2019
AnderCorp, General Manager/Project Executive
Serving the Gulf Coast community by locating additional N-95 medical masks for Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. "We would like to thank those who assisted our team through the effort of locating and delivering the much needed supplies to our medical heroes as we continue the fight vs. COVID-19."
Kerri Paul - Class of 2014
Brick and Spoon Biloxi, Owner
Serving the Gulf Coast community through this health crisis by offering take-out only breakfast and brunch options. "We implore you to invest in self-care, and if comfort food is on your list, please give us a holler!"
Click Here for The Brick & Spoon Biloxi Story
William Yates III - Class of 2001
Yates Construction, President and CEO and MEC Past Chair
and
Kirk Sims - Class of 2016
Yates Construction, Director of Corporate Affairs
Serving the community by donating respirator masks to the Mississippi State Medical Association. Their support helps the state's physicians and healthcare professionals.
Click Here for The Yates Construction Story
Wesley Webb - Class of 2016
Mossy Oak Properties of Tupelo, Owner
Serving the Tupelo community by challenging the Community Development Foundation to support local restaurants and small businesses in the area by purchasing over $4,000 worth in gift cards. These gifts were donated to local first responders.
Click Here for The Community Development Foundation Story
Josh West - Class of 2001
Blue Delta Jeans, Co-Owner
Serving the community by working on prototypes to address the potential shortfall of protective masks. "We think that we can cut up to 36,000 masks in a 24-hour period if we run our cutting machine", says West. Blue Delta traditionally makes made-to-order blue jeans but plans to split the factory in half for the use of making medical masks.
Click Here for The Blue Delta Jeans Story
If you or your business is reaching beyond your normal scope of work to help our communities in need, please let us know by emailing cnorthington@msmec.com, cmack@msmec.com or wcaves@msmec.com.
We want to recognize you for your efforts across our media channels.
You never know, your stories may inspire others to help their communities.
Kindness goes a long way!