Hayes Dent
Champion of Delta Politics and Public Administration By Becky Gillette Yazoo City native Hayes Dent, fifty-eight, owner of Hayes Dent Public Strategies, has overseen some of the largest and most influential political campaigns in the state during his career, including helping Sen. Thad Cochran overcome Tea Party Republican challenger Chris McDaniel in the primary election […]
Paul Hollis New Delta Council President to focus on Flood Control
By Becky Gillette Paul Hollis of Rolling Fork, the new president of Delta Council, plans to focus on moving forward with long-delayed flood control projects in the Delta and working for the continued economic development of the entire Delta that those of us who live there love so much. “As a board member of […]
Upchurch Plumbing Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
By Becky Gillette • Photography by Johnny Jennings Vennis Upchurch founded Upchurch Plumbing, Inc. (UPI) in Greenwood in 1970 with one truck and one helper. Today, the mechanical and plumbing contractor has grown to be a major powerhouse doing business throughout the Southeast. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, it has opened offices in Ridgeland […]
Mississippi Marine’s Steven R. Millwood A Perfect Example of Hometown Boy Making Good
By Becky Gillette • Photography by Johnny Jennings Especially during a worldwide pandemic, it is important that companies like Mississippi Marine Corp. in Greenville are able to operate vital shipyard repair services that facilitate the nation’s inland river transportation system. “There are thousands of U.S.-flagged towboats moving more than 700 million tons of cargo a […]
Dr. Glenn Boyce Chancellor of the University of Mississippi
By Angela Rogalski If somebody had told Dr. Glenn Boyce that one day he would be chancellor of the University of Mississippi he wouldn’t have believed them. Especially considering the first time he drove onto the campus was over forty years ago in a beat-up Buick he drove from upstate New York to attend school […]
Bubba O’Keefe – Promoting Clarksdale Through Tourism and Expansion
By Becky Gillette • Photography by Madge Howell Clarksdale-Coahoma County Tourism Director Bubba O’Keefe is not only responsible for promoting Clarksdale to the world, but also has been intensely involved with restoring numerous buildings downtown and helping create the vibe that has made Clarksdale famous as a blues tourism destination not just in the U.S., […]
Errick Simmons – Greenville Mayor Optimistic About his Town and the Delta
By Becky Gillette • Photography by Johnny Jennings After a historic win for mayor in 2015, Errick D. Simmons recently won re-election to his second term as mayor without facing an opposing candidate. His identical twin, Sen. Derrick Simmons, is also a high achiever, currently serving as Senate Minority Leader of the Democratic Caucus in […]
Gary Gainspoletti – A True Advocate for His Community
By Aimee Robinette • Photography by Bill Powell Born and raised in Shaw, this local CPA never left the Delta and continues to see the possibilities available for Cleveland and its residents. While many have left the Delta for better opportunities, Gainspoletti decided to stay and create them. While some residents encourage their children to […]
Jen Waller – Finds Vision from the Intersection of Her Heart
By Becky Gillette • Photography Austin Britt There could hardly be more contrast between living and working in Clarksdale and Washington, D.C. Jen Waller has done both. After graduating from Delta State University (DSU) in 1997 with a degree in elementary education, she taught in Clarksdale for several years before launching a political career in […]
Dr. Tyrone Jackson – One of the Hardest Working Educators in the Mississippi Delta
The Mississippi Delta has long been a fertile ground providing opportunity for those in and around it. The jobs provided can be an educational ladder to bigger and better opportunities for anyone willing to climb. For Rosedale native, Dr. Tyrone Jackson, his first job was that of a newspaper delivery boy. His latest job was […]