Thursday, September 6, 2012

Haywood County Leadership Class of 2013

Introducing the Haywood County Leadership Class of 2013

Johnny N. Bradford
Johnny N. Bradford 
A 21-year resident of Haywood County, Johnny is currently serving as a substitute teacher and also provides sound for various programs and events in the school system. He is also a disc jockey. Johnny is active in his church, Willow Grove Baptist, where he serves as sound technician and a Youth Department committee member. He has also served as an assistant to the Teen Advisors at Haywood High and is a member of the National Education Association. This year he is serving as a Blueminati, a group who helps bridge the gap between Tennessee State University alumni and undergrads. Johnny’s goal in life is to give of his time and energy to help others. He loves to read and is a self-described history buff, an avid sports fan and is trying his hand at video production. Johnny holds a bachelor of science degree from Tennessee State University and is currently working on earning a master’s degree from Bethel University. He believes a major issue in Haywood County is that youth do not realize the importance of a post-secondary education. He wants to see the community come together to solve various pressing issues here. “If we do,” he says, “we will see a dramatic increase in the quality of life here.”

Senica Ann Cephus
Senica Ann Cephus
As office manager at Golden Circle, Senica oversees the day-to-day business activities for the company. She is a Haywood High School graduate, holds an associate degree from Jackson State and a bachelor of business degree from Lane College. Senica also holds a certified license in property and casualty, life and health insurance. She was named to Who’s Who at Lane and earned honors and Dean’s List recognition. She has lived in Haywood County for 30 years. She is a member of Faith Deliverance Church and serves as a youth advisor. Senica enjoys mentoring youth, and in addition to the youth at church, she also served as a mentor at Lane College. She feels it is important to always be helpful to others. Her hobbies include shopping, fashion, spending time with husband and two sons, swimming and helping others. An issue Senica believes is of utmost importance in the community is the lack of recreation for the community’s youth. “When Haywood can come together with a common goal, as a community, we are unstoppable,” she says. She also believes that we have a lack of vision and actions concerning our community.

Terry G. Chambers
Terry G. Chambers
Terry Chambers, who holds certification as a landfill operator, has been in Haywood County for 40 years. He attends Brownsville Baptist Church, has served in the Dixie Youth Baseball program and was a member of the Jaycees. What he believes to be important about his work in the community is helping others, especially children. He enjoys gardening and landscaping, fishing and hunting, and going on beach vacations with his wife. Most of all, he says, he enjoys spending time with family – his children and grandchildren. He believes unemployment is a huge issue and challenge that our city and county leaders face. Terry is concerned for the young people who are looking to settle in Haywood County and raise their families. He also believes that city and county government leaders, the school system and civic organizations are three strong areas in the community.

Timothy Lewis Chapman
Timothy Lewis Chapman 
Tim Chapman, who lives in Stanton, is a senior process/cost reduction engineer at Teknor Apex. He manages a maintenance group in the garden hose plant. He has worked in Haywood County for 6-1/2 years. He is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers and Wire Association International. Tim has been a teacher of Kung Fu and attained a Black Sash rank. He enjoys attending antique tractor and engine shows, working on old tractors and stationary engines, residential wiring, welding, carpentry, gardening, landscaping and other outdoor activities. Tim holds a bachelor of science degree in plastics engineering technology and an MBA from William Carey College. He also holds an associate degree in landscaping technology. Tim was awarded a patent for a new garden hose design. He believes that Haywood County would benefit from more good-paying employment opportunities. He is impressed with the local schools, the quality of life here and the local hospital. Tim says, “I can make an impact working to keep my employer strong to help maintain and grow the stable, good paying jobs we already have.”

Clinton Francis
Clinton Francis
Clinton Frances supervises the daily operations of the deposit functions of InSouth Bank. He has worked in Haywood County for six years. He is a member of the Exchange Club in Covington and has served as treasurer. He enjoys supporting his children’s sports, hunting and spending time with family. Clinton is interested in learning more about the community he works in, and he sees that the people here have great support for their community.


Gordon Joseph Geter
Joey Geter is a newcomer to Brownsville/Haywood County. He has been here for nine months and is a partner in his CPA firm that also has offices in Jackson, Martin and Paris. He is from Natchez, Mississippi, and holds a master’s degree in accounting with seven years’ experience and attends more than 40 hours of CPE a year. He was a founding member of the Chamber of Commerce – Natchez Young and Upcoming Professionals. He was also named to Who’s Who Among Young Professionals and Executives and is the co-creator of the Brownsville Business column in the States-Graphic. Joey is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Brownsville Rotary Club, the Brownsville Country Club and the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a coach and board member for the local Dixie Youth Baseball. He said being in these organizations has helped him become accustomed to the town and how it functions. He enjoys fishing, golfing, going to church, spending time with family and participating in and watching sports. Joey believes that a major issue in the community is city growth and industrial development. He says our rich agriculture history and a welcoming small-town feeling are two of Brownsville’s strengths. He believes we can keep that feeling while growing and modernizing.

Vincent A. Harvell
Vincent A. Harvell
Vincent Harvell is the Chief Financial Officer for Haywood County Schools. In his eighth year with the school system, he is responsible for the management of fiscal operations, maintenance and building operations and technology infrastructure. Vincent holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Lambuth University. He’s also taken additional classes through the University of Memphis and Jackson State Community College. He is a member of St. Paul M. B. Church and serves as Trustee and as a Sunday School teacher. He is a member of the Tennessee Association of School Business officials, the BEP Review Committee and a former Lambuth College Alumni Board member. Vincent believes as a Sunday School teacher, he has had the opportunity to mentor children and try to make a difference in their lives. He enjoys his job with the schools, watching basketball games and playing with his granddaughter. His concern for Haywood County is centered on education. He wants to see training opportunities for citizens, and he believes affordable decent housing is also an issue. He also believes that Haywood County’s school system has made tremendous improvement. “It is a work in progress, but has a very good upside,” Vincent said.

Drew Scott Magruder
Drew Scott Magruder
The voice of Brownsville Radio, Drew Magruder, oversees operations for the day part of programming for the local station. He has been in Brownsville for 5-1/2 years and has become an integral part of the community. He attended the Columbia School of Broadcasting. He is also CPR trained. Drew serves on the Haywood County Rescue Squad and is the PA announcer for the Tomcats. He says his training has taught him how to communicate in stressful situations. His hobbies are exercising and biking, and he feels he now has more energy and wants to more active in community. Drew sees race relations as one of the biggest challenges in the community. “Haywood Countians should learn to work together,” he says. “It is the only way our county can move forward.” Drew also believes that the people are the county’s biggest asset. He believes that the good, creative and passionate people of this community can work together to make positive changes.

Renee Moss
Reneé Moss
New to Brownsville/Haywood County, Renee Moss was recently selected to lead the local chamber of commerce. Before moving to Brownsville, she served on the McNairy County Chamber Board, on the Executive Board of the Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee and as the Adamsville Partnership Secretary. She is a certified Tennessee Tourism Professional and is a graduate of McNairy County Adult Leadership 2010. Through her work, Renee has used her skills and experience to organize a number of community events. Her hobbies include spending time with family, shopping, reading, playing games online and Facebook. She believes Brownsville’s challenges are in the areas of education and retail. For community strengths, she listed industrial development, city and county work well together, community involvement and agriculture.

                                                 
Joyce Ann Pirtle
Joyce Ann Pirtle
Joyce is retired from the Haywood County Clerk’s office and spends her time in retirement visiting the nursing home and the sick and shut-in, attending meetings, helping at church and with family members. She has lived in Haywood County since 1975. Joyce is currently a Policy Council Member for the Southwest Human Resource Agency, the secretary for the Haywood County NAACP, and serves as a committee member and secretary for the Relay for Life committee for Willow Grove M. B. Church. She has also served as missionary secretary, Sunday School secretary and Youth Committee member at her church and as a committee member for the United Way. She attended the West Tennessee Business College in Jackson. Joyce has received a number of plaques, certificates and awards for her work at church and in the community. From her work, she has met and worked with people from all walks of life. She likes to listen to ideas and comments from others so that whatever needs there are in the community can be met. Joyce believes that homelessness is an issue in Haywood County, and she is interested in being involved in correcting this problem. She also believes that the people of Haywood County should be proud of their community service and willingness to help others.

David Leonard Prine
David Leonard Prine
David Prine, a 30-year resident of Haywood County, is a machinist for Lasco Fittings. He is a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he serves as Sunday School Director, a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher and is actively involved in numerous committees. He was active in the Industrial Softball League here. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and camping, which he says has allowed him to spend quality time with his grandchildren. He is from Leland, Mississippi, and attended Mississippi Delta Junior College on a football scholarship. He also held the position of commissioner with the Brownsville Dixie Youth Baseball League. David believes that Haywood County lacks activities for our young people to keep them busy and off the streets. He wants a safer environment for the youth, and believes that we need to encourage and train our children to become future leaders in the community. He also believes that the community has a strong industrial base.

Holt Pritchett
Holt Pritchett
Holt Pritchett, who has been with First South Bank for six years, is a commercial lender in the Haywood County branch. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a business degree, of Barnett School of Banking Commercial Lending Academy and the Southeastern School of Advanced Commercial Lending. Holt is an officer for Habitat for Humanity and has been a volunteer for Relay for Life and March of Dimes and is a member of Rotary. He has assisted numerous families through HFH to better their lives and has helped raise funds needed for numerous other organizations. He enjoys hunting, golf, water sports, sports and running. Holt believes that the local school system and the lack of growth in the community are two of its biggest challenges. He also believes that continued involvement by citizens will improve both of these issues. In his opinion, the fact that the community is so tight-knit will help it overcome its weaknesses. Holt points out that our agriculture base, a beautiful courthouse and downtown area and our close proximity to larger towns are three other assets of the community.

Teri Leann Robinson
Teri Leann Robinson
A 10-year resident of Haywood County, Teri Robinson is in customer service and performs various other duties at Brownsville Utility Department. She holds a BBA in general business from the University of Mississippi. She is active at Westside Church of Christ, in the Republican Women, PTO, Relay for Life and Boy Scouts. She says serving in her church and the community, especially helping children and families, is the most important thing she can do. She appreciates the opportunity to meet others in this service. She is an avid Ole Miss fan and tries to attend all home games. She also likes to read, spend time with her kids and walk. “Fostering an attitude of free enterprise and small business friendliness is a great concern of mine,” Teri says of Brownsville’s challenges. She believes Brownsville can become a hub for small businesses and wants to research our business policies and recruitment strategies to make sure they are the best in the area. Teri believes that involvement and concerns from our citizens during time of need is impressive. “So many of our town come out and support our local charities, businesses, and children’s activities.”

Glenn William Stoots
Glenn William Stoots
Glenn Stoots is a supervisor at Teknor Apex and has lived in Haywood County for 30 years. He has attended seminars to become a more effective supervisor and learn management and leadership skills. Glenn is a member of the Haywood County Volunteer Fire Department District #5. He has also served with the United Way Fund Allocation Team. He says his involvement in these activities has been important to him because it has given him the opportunity to give back and help out in the community. He is also very interested in finding out ways that he may be able to help out in volunteer work in the community, especially with the youth. According to Glenn, one particular issue he feels is critical to the community is creating more activities for the youth. Because of this, he says, our community is losing tax dollars and losing families to surrounding communities. Glenn said that its strongest asset is that the community will come together to help out its fellow citizens.

Regen M. Thornton
Regen M. Thornton
Regen Thornton, who has lived in Brownsville for 10 years, has deep roots in the community. He has been coming here for years to visit Brownsville, and now calls it home. He is an agriculture loan officer for First State Bank. Regen is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and holds a degree in agriculture business. He is also a licensed land surveyor. He has been training with First State since January learning about farm financial analysis and recently completed a week-long Agricultural Lending School at the University of Missouri. Regen’s hobbies include golf, hunting and fishing. He believes that education is a challenge in Haywood County and that its biggest strength is its agriculture.

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