Twenty years of Top 40 Under 40

Always a well attended event at the EXPO, the Top 40 Under 40 luncheon will be held Thursday at 11:30 a.m. This popular program turns 20 this year and is the Mississippi Business Journal’s longest running recognition program. Since 1993, the program has honored 40 of Mississippi’s best and brightest leaders from a wide range of professions and businesses. These winners have made significant contributions to their communities as well as their businesses and professions. They represent the fields of health care, education, accounting, law, technology, finance and banking, insurance and government.

The awards luncheon is always a sellout, and this year will be no exception as friends, family and co-workers gather to honor these 40 young leaders. The event is sponsored by Comcast and BancorpSouth Bank. Entertainment will be provided by the Raphael Semmes Band.

Tupelo-based BancorpSouth is pleased to support this program again. “As a sponsor for the Top 40 Under 40, we at BancorpSouth take this opportunity to help recognize many of the aspiring young business and civic leaders throughout our state,” said Randy Burchfield, senior vice president for corporate marketing. “We see our role as business partner, financial counselor and friend to everyone in Mississippi who has aspirations to making this an even better place to live and work.”

He added that just as the bank encourages all staff members to take a vital part in their communities, sponsoring the Top 40 Under 40 program is BancorpSouth’s visible commitment to a policy it has practiced for more than 13 decades of banking and commercial development. “We are proud to support a range of organizations and community activities across Mississippi and throughout our market area,” he said. “We currently have 290 locations in nine states.”

More from 2012 MBJ EXPO …

Jeff Good and crew turn up the heat again with new venture

Twenty years of Top 40 Under 40

Eagle Ridge offers helpful business seminars

Acquiring leads and prospects at EXPO

GJCP volunteering at EXPO

Companies look forward to networking at EXPO

Returning to EXPO pays off

Jeff Good to keynote EXPO breakfast

Catering is key at Business After Hours

Food and music liven up MBJ’s 2012 Mississippi Business/Technology EXPO

Comcast, a growing communications company, has been involved with the EXPO as a sponsor of various events for several years. In addition to home entertainment options, the company provides advanced communications solutions for businesses, including digital voice, high speed Internet and television packages along with technology assessment and consultation services.

Roger C. Davis, a founding partner of Woodridge Capital of Jackson, is a Top 40 Under 40 alumnus and has fond memories of the program. “The Top 40 Under 40 is a well-recognized honor. Having been aware of it for many years, I was very glad to be selected to participate,” he said. “As I see familiar names on each year’s list, I’m reminded of the vital role young business leaders will play if our great state is to reach its enormous potential.”

Michael Lindsey, senior vice president of the retail banking division for BancorpSouth, has also been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 winner. “I am privileged to have been selected. Being named among others in Mississippi who have been acknowledged for accomplishments in their business and personal lives is a great honor,” he said. “As I look back at the Top 40 Under 40 alumni, and as I think of the friendships and connections I have made that have helped me over the years, I am truly humbled. Congratulations to this year’s recipients.”

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