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Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Leadership Gulf Coast Announces 2023 Alumni Affair
Leadership Gulf Coast (LGC) will host its annual Alumni Affair on March 22nd, 2023 at the Boomtown Event Center. With over 900 alumni, LGC hosts this event in hopes to encourage those alumni to utilize their capabilities and progress into higher positions of authority in our community. Ricky Mathews, host of Coast Vue and SuperTalk Outdoors, will be the featured speaker this year.“The Leadership Gulf Coast Alumni Affair is a much-anticipated event each year as alums reconnect with their classmates while
Wednesday, March 08, 2023Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, Communications Director, MGM Resorts International, to serve on the Military One Coast Board
Military One Coast, a division of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, Communications Director for MGM Resorts International, will be joining the Military One Coast Board of Directors.A 30-year veteran of the Mississippi hospitality and tourism industry, Mary Cracchiolo Spain serves as the Communications Director for MGM Resorts International and is responsible for strategic development and execution of external communications programs for Beau Rivage
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Monday, February 20, 2023Aaron Broussard, Territory Manager Coca-Cola Bottling Company, to serve on the Military One Coast Board of Directors
Military One Coast, a division of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Aaron W.R. Broussard, Territory Manager Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Gulfport and Ocean Springs Sales Center will be joining the Military One Coast Board of Directors. Aaron is married to his wife Elizabeth Ware Broussard, and together, they have a daughter, Grace, and reside in Biloxi. Early in his professional career, Aaron served as Assistant to the President for his family’s business, W. Broussard Seafood
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Thursday, February 16, 2023COAST YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ANNOUNCES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CHAIR, JASE PAYNE
Coast Young Professionals is pleased to announce the 2023 Chair, Jase Payne, Communications & Marketing Manager for the City of Gulfport. Jase Payne is an award-winning social media director, creative producer, and public relations manager with years of professional experience in communications, advertising, tourism, and government relations. A native of Gulfport, Payne received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Southern Mississippi. He formerly served as President of the
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Wednesday, January 18, 2023Military One Coast Announces 2023 Chair, Jerry Taranto and Board of Directors
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Jerry Taranto as the chair of the Military One Coast for 2023. Jerry, a Biloxi native, is on the board of directors for the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. In 2018 he served as the sponsor and coordinator for the Blues Over Biloxi Airshow. Jerry Taranto is a part-time consultant and content writer with experience managing comprehensive public relations programs, congressional relations,
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Friday, January 13, 2023Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 Diversity Council Chair, Jakavious Pickett
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Jakavious Pickett as the chair of the Diversity Council for 2023. Jakavious Terrell Pickett is a native of Crystal Springs, MS. He is married to Natasha Pickett, and they have two children, Shae, and Jaquille. Jakavious served in the United States Air Force for 21 years. He currently works in Community Relations at Huntington Ingalls in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and he is the former Program Director for the East Biloxi Community
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Wednesday, January 11, 2023Leadership Gulf Coast Announces 2023 Chair, LTC Andrew M. Ratcliffe and Board of Directors
Leadership Gulf Coast is pleased to announce LTC Andrew M. Ratcliffe as the chair of the Leadership Gulf Coast for 2023. LTC Andrew M. Ratcliffe, III, a native of Natchez, is a Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi Reserve Officer Training Corps, and holds a Master’s Degree in Administration. He currently serves as the Facility Commander and UH-60 Blackhawk pilot at the MS-AVCRAD in Gulfport. LTC Ratcliffe is also enrolled in the U.S. Army Senior Service College and is
Wednesday, January 11, 2023Mei-Li Hernandez of MS Gulf Coast Chamber Graduates from Institute for Organization Management
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Mei-Li Hernandez, IOM, Membership Director and Operations Manager of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in
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Monday, January 09, 2023Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 Chair, Kristen Garriga and Board of Directors
The Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Kristen Garriga as the chair of the Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce for 2023. Kristen Garriga started her career with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in 2018 and has grown in the real estate business ever since. Today Kristen holds the title of Marketing & business development director at Berkshire Hathaway Panoramic Properties. Prior to her real estate journey, she worked for nearly a decade for a local Orthodontist office as a chair side
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Friday, January 06, 2023Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 Chair, Colette Byrnes and Board of Directors
The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Colette Byrnes as the chair of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for 2023. Colette Byrnes is the Director of Event Services for The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park Campus. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Resort, Tourism, & Hospitality Management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. She later obtained her master’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi. While attending
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Thursday, January 05, 2023Gulfport Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 Chair, John Payton Hood and Board of Directors
The Gulfport Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce John Payton Hood as the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce chair for 2023. John Payton Hood is Gulfport native born to the late Mr. Billy Hood and Mrs. Patti Landrum. He is a 2005 graduate of St. John High School and a 2010 Graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration and Managerial Finance. Today he resides in Gulfport, MS, with his wife, Katie Hewes Hood, and their two children, Hewes and Weezie. John
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Wednesday, January 04, 2023Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 Chair, Justin Chance and Board of Directors
The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Justin Chance as the chair of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce for 2023. Justin Chance is Vice President of Commercial Banking at Hancock Whitney Bank, where he has been employed for 12 years. He has served on the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, including Vice Chair of Marketing, Vice Chair of Finance, and Biloxi Seafood Festival. He co-founded the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Craft Beer Festival and served as festival chair for three years. Justin
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Tuesday, January 03, 2023MS Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Announces 2023 President, Amber Olsen and Board of Directors
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Amber Olsen of Nextaff and The United MSD Foundation as the 2023 President of the Board of Directors. Amber Olsen started Nextaff Gulf Coast in Ocean Springs, MS in 2007 offering recruiting services for businesses in South Mississippi and Alabama. Amber is certified by the Human Resource Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and by the Society for Human Resource Management as a Senior Certified
Wednesday, September 07, 2022GULFPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR CANDACE RULAND
MS GULF COAST- The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is pleased to announce and welcome Candace Ruland as the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce Director.Candace joins the Chamber with experience in the hospitality industry with Red Roof Inn, Island View Casino, and Shular Companies. Her duties included managing daily operations, managing employee relations, and implementing event plans and concepts. In her new role, Candace will handle all of the programs of work for the Gulfport Chamber of
Wednesday, August 31, 2022LEADERSHIP GULF COAST ANNOUNCES 2022-2023 CLASS
MS GULF COAST - The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has announced the 31st class of local business, and community leaders selected to participate in its Leadership Gulf Coast program.“Leadership Gulf Coast welcomed its 31st class of business and community leaders from across South Mississippi,” said Adele Lyons, Chief Executive Officer of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve got another impressive class of 35 individuals who will engage in issues and opportunities facing
Wednesday, August 31, 2022SYDNEY RAY TO SERVE AS EXECUTIVE LIAISON AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
MS GULF COAST- The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is pleased to announce and welcome Sydney Ray to serve as the Executive Liaison and Customer Service Representative. Ray graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Integrated Marketing Communications. During her college career, Ray worked as a Brand Ambassador forPINK Campus Team and served as the Office Manager for American National Insurance. She has had several internships, including The School of Journalism and
Wednesday, August 24, 2022Matti Rae Seymour to serve as Long Beach and Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce Director
MS GULF COAST- The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is pleased to announce Matti Rae Seymour to serve as the Long Beach and Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce Director. Seymour joins the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber with experience as the Director of Community Events of Archbishop Chapelle High School. Her duties included organizing and executing various events and activities for the school, including the Emerald Gala, Chapelle Craft Fair, and Chapelle Summer and Acorn Camp. “Having
Friday, August 19, 2022LAWANDA JONES TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF BILOXI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MS GULF COAST- The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is pleased to announce and welcome LaWanda Jones as the new Director of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce. LaWanda has been a Chamber staff member since June as the Long Beach and Pass Christian Director.LaWanda brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organization. LaWanda has served on the Biloxi Chamber Board of Directors for many years and has been heavily involved in the Biloxi Seafood Festival and several other events in the
Friday, July 29, 2022MEI-LI HERNANDEZ TO SERVE AS OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MS GULF COAST- The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is pleased to announce that Mei-Li Hernandez will serve as the new Operations Manager along with her duties as Membership Director for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. Hernandez will oversee the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce's organizational processes and daily operations. Hernandez joined the Chamber staff in August 2016 and has grown the membership to 997 members. She has completed 3 of the 4 Institute of
Thursday, July 28, 2022KENDYLL PALERMO TO SERVE AS PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is pleased to announce and welcome Kendyll Palermo as the new Programming Director. Palermo joins the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber with experience working at the Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast. She specializes in planning memorable events and has a strong background in community engagement. Palermo participated in the MGCCC Collegiate Academy program during her junior and senior high school years. She graduated concurrently with an associate’s
Friday, July 01, 2022Alexis Higgins to serve as Communications & Marketing Director
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Alexis Higgins has accepted the position of Communications Director. Alexis has been a member of the Chamber staff since last August as the Programming Director. In her new role, Alexis will manage all of the marketing and communication efforts for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber. She is a valuable member of our team and her expertise in marketing and communication will be well utilized for the Chamber’s program of work and for our
Wednesday, May 11, 2022SIX STATE LEGISLATORS TO SPEAK AT 2022 POST LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING
MS GULF COAST - The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. will hold its 2022 Post Legislative Briefing on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Golden Nugget Casino in Biloxi.Confirmed legislators include Representative Richard Bennett, Senator Joel Carter Jr., Senator Scott DeLano, Senator Jeremy England, Representative Kevin Felsher and Senator Brice Wiggins. The legislators will be asked a series of questions in a panel discussion regarding the legislative session.“The annual Post Legislative Briefing is
Wednesday, February 02, 20222022 Pat Santucci Award Recipient Announced
Anthony Wilson was named on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, as the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc.’s 2022 recipient of the Pat Santucci “Spirit of the Coast” award. The award was presented in front of a crowd of nearly 600 attendees at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc.’s Annual Meeting held at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.Wilson is chairman, president, and CEO of Mississippi Power. Mississippi Power is a subsidiary of Southern Company – one of the nation’s largest energy
