Mississippi Innovators Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
(Ridgeland, Miss.) – Innovate Mississippi announced today the 2016 Mississippi Innovators Hall of Fame inductees, Legend Award recipient and Innovators to Watch. The Mississippi Innovators Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to recognize outstanding individuals and companies who have helped put Mississippi on the map as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.
This year, Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms, Inc. in Laurel, will be honored as the recipient of the 2016 Legend Award. This prestigious award is presented to distinguished, exemplary and visionary leaders and innovators who have had a legendary impact on the state of Mississippi. Previous Legend Award recipients include Jim Barksdale, Dr. Robert Khayat, Ambassador John Palmer and Bill Yates.
In addition, these outstanding and successful entrepreneurs will be inducted into the Mississippi Innovators Hall of Fame: Linda and Billy Howard, founders of Howard Industries in Laurel; Thalia Mara (posthumously), founder of the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson; and Dr. S.L. Sethi, founder of Jackie’s International in Canton.
“The momentum behind innovation and entrepreneurship in Mississippi is at an all-time high,” said Sandra Buckley, director of marketing for Innovate Mississippi. “Through the Mississippi Innovators Hall of Fame, we are able to formally acknowledge and celebrate those innovators who have taken risks to build a business from the ground up – and who are ultimately creating jobs and wealth for our state.”
Five emerging high-growth innovators are also recognized as Innovators to Watch. These include Fuse.Cloud in Jackson, Jeff Good in Jackson, Hawkeye Industries in Tupelo, Next Gear Solutions in Oxford and TelehealthONE in Canton.
To celebrate these honorees, Innovate Mississippi is hosting the Mississippi Innovators Hall of Fame Awards Gala on September 15 at the Country Club of Jackson. The event is presented by Mortgage Trade, Inc. of Oxford, and Children’s of Mississippi will serve as the Diamond Sponsor. The Gala is open to the public, black-tie optional, and begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner program at 7 p.m. Tickets and Table Sponsorships are available at www.innovate.ms, or call Janet Parker at 601-960-3611 for more information.
Innovate Mississippi is a nonprofit organization with the mission to drive innovation and technology-based economic development for the State of Mississippi. Visit www.innovate.ms for more information.
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