Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann delivered the keynote address at the Mississippi Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” awards luncheon in Jackson, Mississippi held on June 25 at the Old Capitol Inn.
On Wednesday, June 25, at the Old Capitol Inn in downtown Jackson, Mississippi, a crowd of almost 300 attended the Mississippi Business Journal’s annual “Top 40 Under 40” awards luncheon. Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann was the keynote speaker at the event hosted by the monthly publication to honor the state’s rising young business leaders.
According to Coopwood, who purchased the publication in June 2024, the annual event recognizes emerging leaders from across Mississippi who are under the age of 40 and who are already making a significant contribution in their communities and lines of work. The honorees come from diverse fields, including business, philanthropy, law, industry, and more.
Class members were selected by a panel of business and community leaders. Nominations were solicited through various MBJ platforms, such as the monthly print edition and social media.
“One of the main goals of the ‘Top 40 Under 40’ salute is to not only pay tribute to these young leaders from across the state for their early achievements in business, but to also inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Coopwood.
In his keynote address, Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann talked about the importance of leadership, clear communication, and setting goals.
“Lt. Governor Hosemann delivered a powerful, resonating talk and he had the full attention of the honorees,” said Coopwood. “His very personal message of leadership, hope, hard work, determination and setting goals hit home with the honorees. Hosemann noted that now, following their recognition by the MBJ, these young people will become even more well-known and their opinion on important issues of the day will be sought out by others.”
While praising the new “Top 40” MBJ class, Hosemann also offered sage advice gained from a lengthy career of service, including taking care of one’s health.
“I can speak from personal experience,” the Lt. Governor told the honorees. “You need to take care of yourself, not only for your continued business success, but also for the betterment of your own lives and your family.”
Hosemann said whatever kind of exercise the winners were doing now, they should keep it up — or start a routine — as part of their work lives.
The Mississippi Business Journal “Top 40 Under 40” Class of 2025
The 2025 “Top 40 Under 40” honorees recognized on June 25 were:
- Katie Anthony, Dean of Graduate Studies at University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
- Anne Hall Brashier, Chief of Staff for Governor Tate Reeves, Jackson
- Robert A. Carson, III, Partner, Merkel & Cocke, Clarksdale
- Dawn Casaus, Senior VP, BankPlus, Madison
- Candace Coleman, Senior Communications Specialist for Entergy, Jackson
- Michael Crowe, President, SRP Holdings, Meridian
- Sunny Desai, CEO and Founder of Desai Companies, Ridgeland
- Carley Dunaway, Owner/Architect, dunawayWILLIAMS, Jackson
- Erick Evans, SVP Marketing, C Spire, Ridgeland
- Charles Finkley, President/CEO and Foreign Trade Zone Administrator, Tunica County Chamber and Economic Development, Tunica
- Meryl Fisackerly, COO, Golden Triangle Development Link, Columbus
- Rob Hairston, Director of Projects, Community Development Foundation, Tupelo
- Jordan Holder, General Manager, Hol-Mac Corporation, Bay Springs
- John Morgan Hughes, Senior Partner, Ten One Strategies, Jackson
- Terrence D. Hunter, Founder and Owner, The Hunter Law Firm, Natchez
- Grace Johnson, Founder of Bread/Co-Founder of Blue Hen, Sumrall
- Marcus Johnson, Director, Training, Development & Productivity, C Spire, Ridgeland
- Hunter Knight, Owner, Properly Tied, Oxford
- Ryker Lackey, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, Clearwater Group, Jackson
- T. J. Mayfield, Vicksburg Alderman, Vicksburg
- Jim Miller, Executive Director of MS Main Street Association, Madison
- J.T. Mitchell, News Director/Host, SuperTalk Mississippi Media, Jackson
- Chris Monsour, VP, AnderCorp, Jackson
- Jourdan Nicaud, President, Secret Coast, Pass Christian
- Davis Pace, CEO, MS Enterprise for Technology, Gulfport
- Mary Quarles, Strike Programs Director, V2X, Madison
- Tyler Raborn, CEO, Raborn Media, Madison County
- Erica Reed, COO, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Jackson
- Jeremy Ricks, Comptroller, Delta State University, Cleveland
- Colton Robison, Executive Director, Mississippi Paving Association, Jackson\
- Tyler Rosamond, VP and CFO, Molpus Woodlands Group, Ridgeland
- Al David Saab, Policy Advisor for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Jackson
- Bethany Stanfill, Partner, BSS Global, Ridgeland
- Jordan Starnes, President, Magnolia Lane Strategy, Jackson
- Robert Davis Taylor, Director of Product Support/Sudden Service, The Taylor Group of Companies, Louisville
- Hagan Walker, Founder and CEO, The Glo Companies, Starkville
- Andrew Whalen, President, Planters Bank, Cleveland and Ruleville
- Benjamin Weldon, Manager of Workforce Development, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula
- Charles Woods, Chief of Staff to State Auditor Shad White, Jackson
- Amanda Wyrick, VP, Community Bank, Madison
For more information on the Mississippi Business Journal, visit msbusinessjournal.com.