Mississippi Business Journal announces “Top 40 Under 40” awards luncheon

Event will take place at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson on June 25

Mississippi Business Journal will honor 40 young leaders across the state who are under 40 years old during a luncheon at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson on June 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann will give the keynote address. 

“This annual event recognizes emerging leaders from across Mississippi who are under the age of 40 and are already making a significant contribution in their communities and industries,” said J. Scott Coopwood, Publisher and Owner of the Mississippi Business Journal.  “The 2025 honorees are from diverse fields, including business, community involvement, 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.

“The goal of the ‘Top 40 Under 40’ salute is to not only pay tribute to these young leaders from across the state, but to inspire the next generation of leaders and highlight the contributions of emerging professionals,” said Coopwood. 

Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below or call the Mississippi Business Journal office at 601-364-1000 or 662-843-2700 by June 16.

The honorees being recognized this year are:

Katie Anthony – Dean of Graduate Studies at USM., Hattiesburg 

Anne Hall Brashier – Chief of Staff for Gov. Tate Reeves, Jackson 

Robert Carson– Attorney, Merkel and 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 – President and CEO, Architect, Dunaway Williams Architects, Jackson 

Erick Evans – SVP Marketing, C Spire, Ridgeland 

Charles Finkley – Director of Tunica County CVB, 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, Oxford 

John Morgan Hughes – Co-Founder of Ten One Strategies, Madison

Terrence Hunter – Municipal Judge, Natchez 

Grace Johnson – Founder of Bread/Co-Founder of Blue Hen, Sumrall

Marcus Johnson – HR VP, C Spire, Ridgeland 

Hunter Knight – Owner, Properly Tied, Oxford 

Ryker Lackey – Associate, 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 Nicoud – Founder and Managing Partner, the Secret Coast, Pass Christian 

Davis Pace – CEO, MS Enterprise for Technology, Gulfport 

Mary Quarles – Senior Program Manager, V2X, Madison 

Tyler Raborn – CEO,  Raborn Media, Madison County 

Erica Reed – COO, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Jackson 

Jeremy Ricks – Delta State University Comptroller, Cleveland 

Colton Robison – Executive Director, Mississippi Paving Association, Jackson 

Tyler Rosamond – VP, Molpus Woodlands Group, Ridgeland 

Al David Saab – Senior Advisor for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Jackson 

Bethany Stanfill – Partner, BSS Global, Ridgeland 

Jordan Starnes – President, Magnolia Lane Strategy, Jackson 

Davis Taylor – Director of Sudden Service, The Taylor Group of Companies, Louisville 

Hagan Walker – Founder, The Glo Companies, Starkville 

Andrew Whalen – President, Planters Bank, Cleveland

Benjamin Wheldon – Manager of Workforce Development, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Gulfport 

Charles Woods – Chief of Staff to State Auditor Shad White, Jackson 

Amanda Wyrick – VP, Community Bank, Madison

The 2025 “Top 40 Under 40” event is being sponsored by Entergy, C Spire, BankPlus and SuperTalk Mississippi Media

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