Leanne Braddock, Commander, US Navy (Retired) has served as the President of Preservation of East Main and Surrounds (POEMS) for the past five years. She and her husband, Ed Cookenham, have lived in Jackson for the past five years.

Tim Hayes is a native of Humboldt who lives in Jackson. He began his bakery business in his Humboldt home. Initially he decided to focus on cakes. His maternal grandmother loves to bake. She was Tim’s mentor in baking. He went to her house and watched her bake amazing pies and cakes. “Baking cakes is a gift that God gave me!,” said Tim.

Lt. Mark Cancia, Corps Officer, The Salvation Army of Jackson, TN, is a child of God and a man of faith. While he was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Cancia family quickly moved to the tropics of South Florida, where they made most of their memories and connected with The Salvation Army for the first time.

With more than 8 years in the non-profit industry in progressively responsible strategic positions, preceded by almost 22 years in the tourism and hospitality fields in significant positions, Nunnery has served as the leader for the Jackson, Tennessee Convention and Visitors Bureau/Visit Jackson TN for the past 12 years.

Exciting things are happening at The Ned McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center (The Ned). The new Executive Director, John Kimbrough, brings over 47 years of instructing music, directing shows, teaching music theatre, running lights and sound, overseeing and being an entrepreneur in Middle Tennessee. He has spent his entire career working with young people in various capacities, and he will always consider himself young at heart! All of these experiences make Mr. Kimbrough uniquely qualified to step into this role, and he is ecstatic at the opportunity. He is our real-life Music Man!

Dr. Mechelle Taylor Moragne is an established family practice physician with over 18 years of experience in Jackson, Tennessee. She is highly regarded in the community, earning numerous accolades for her stellar patient care. She has been awarded a total of four Silver Stevie Awards from the 2021 American Business Awards Division of the Stevie Awards Program for Minority Owned Business of the Year and Frontline Hero of the Years and 2020 International Women in Business Division of the Stevie Awards Program for Female Entrepreneur of the Year and 2020 Frontline Hero of the Year.

J. Brent Ward began his real estate career in 1997. He joined his parents who had been in real estate for about 5-6 years. “Being a single dad, I was only able to swing part time so I could only assist them for two years when I retired my license,” said Ward.

“While my license was in retirement, my parents, along with a few other partners, started RE/MAX Realty Source in Jackson. After a year or so in retirement, I reactivated my license, rejoined my parents fulltime, and we became the “aWARD Winning Team.”

Scott Stewart was born in Nebraska, but he tells everyone he’s from Storm Lake, Iowa because that’s where he spent most of his youth. His parents owned a feed, seed and fertilizer business. He was not a “farm boy,” but he was surrounded by agriculture and participated in 4-H, raised hogs, delivered feed, baled hay, walked beans, and de-tasseled corn as a teenager.

Dr. Marlon King, a transformational leader in the state of Tennessee, became Superintendent of the Jackson-Madison County School System in July 2020. Born and raised in rural West Tennessee where he attended public schools, Dr. King has given back over two decades of uninterrupted service and commitment to improving public schools. His career trajectory is unique amongst educators in Tennessee because of his wide range of experience that encompass being a teacher (Shelby County Schools—legacy), principal (Fayette County Schools), Superintendent (Haywood, Fayette, and Jackson-Madison Counties), and an Executive Director (Tennessee Department of Education), all in Tennessee. Dr. King has a proven record in improving many of Tennessee’s toughest schools and districts. He has built a reputation of turning schools around by promoting strong literacy programs with fidelity, recruiting and training school leaders, setting and expecting high standards for all, garnering community support and deep engagement, and managing fiscal service through a business-leader lens.

Jenna Hamilton King has been the proud owner of My Best Friend Jenna (MBFJ) since February 2010. Her focus at MBFJ is to make your shopping experience truly feel like you are shopping with your B-F-F! MBFJ has evolved throughout the years and specializes in formalwear for all occasions. Her dresses and tuxedos have gone to proms, weddings, homecoming, pageants, military balls, fundraising events, and many other events. Jenna works alongside her sister, Lauren; Mom, Clarenita; and employees who have truly become best friends. Together, they have created a charming and relaxed atmosphere where they are enthusiastic, respectful, encouraging and stand by you during dress fittings and your ultimate formalwear purchase.

Lisa Tillman has been the Executive Director of Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) since January 2009. RIFA is a faith-based nonprofit organization with a mission to reach out with the love of Christ to help people in need by providing physical and spiritual nourishment. Working at RIFA has allowed Lisa to use her spiritual gifts of leadership and administration to execute RIFA’s vision to lead and engage our community in the fight against hunger. In 2019 alone, RIFA distributed over 500,000 meals through the Soup Kitchen, food bank, food pantry, food co-op, snack backpack program and senior staples ministry.

Matthew Marshall serves as President and CEO of United Way of West Tennessee. He was formerly Executive Director and Head of School at Hands Up! Preschool, a non-profit Early Childhood Education program in Jackson, TN. Before that, he spent eight years in higher education at his alma mater, Union University, where he did undergraduate work in Christian Ethics and then earned a Masters in Education.

Dr. Dennis Renshaw lived in Alamo, but he grew up in Iran, India, and Indonesia as his father was with the United States State Department.

Frank McMeen, a native of Columbia, Tennessee, was affiliated with Freed-Hardeman University for 14 years where he served as Vice President of University Advancement, fundraising, alumni relations, and marketing. He also served as President of Columbia Academy.