A Conversation with Jessica White Jessica White is a co-founder of Mid-South Gifted Academy. As a mother of four, she understands the intense desire of all parents to find a school where their children will thrive. With 19 years of experience in education, Jessica has worked in a variety of school settings to create challenging and engaging learning environments for gifted and high-achieving students. In 2017, she completed the Memphis Leadership Scholars Program at the University of Memphis, earning an Education Specialist degree with a license for school administration. Through her years of teaching high-ability [...]

The Beauty of an Intentional Career Plan Union University’s Dr. Colene Trent Addresses Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Network The Collierville Chamber of Commerce hosted its end-of-summer Women’s Leadership Network meeting on August 24 at Ridgeway Country Club. Union University Associate Professor of Economics, Dr. Colene Trent, presented the day’s featured talk. Dr. Trent also serves as the Executive Director of the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Competition. Prior to Trent’s remarks, Dr. Mary McDonald, founder and CEO of MCD Partners, an educational consulting firm, informed the group about the upcoming Ascend Regional Business Summit to be held November 7 at the Hilton [...]

Law and Order: Collierville Monthly Membership Meeting Hosts Collierville Municipal Judge Leigh Ann Dobson It was another Monthly Membership Meeting and another packed house, as Chamber members and guests gathered Wednesday, August 6, at First Baptist Church of Collierville to hear guest speaker, Collierville Municipal Court Judge Leigh Ann Dobson. Before the day’s featured speaker, Collierville Board Chairman Jimmy Turner took the podium to recognize elected officials and other civic leaders in attendance, as well as to call attention to the day’s caterer Simply Done Catering, to thank the church for the use of their facilities and to offer [...]

Motivating and Mentoring Dr. Colene Trent, Associate Professor of Economics at Union University Union University’s Dr. Colene Trent has travelled a unique path to her current position as an Associate Professor of Economics. She describes her early years as “an only child in a lower-middle-class family.” At times her family struggled with money management – something that would inform her entire life and her current approach to her discipline. But as the family faced financial challenges, Colene’s parents also encouraged her to do well in school, and Trent met that challenge head-on. She remembers her involvement in extra-curricular activities [...]

A Conversation with Tim Gaines Tim Gaines is the owner of Lost Pizza Co. Collierville and Southaven. He opened his Southaven location in 2012 and his Collierville location in 2019. Lost Pizza’s been voted Best Pizza in the Town by the Collierville Herald the past two years. Tim loves the small-town atmosphere that Collierville provides so many families. It’s what makes the community a perfect spot for a Lost Pizza location. More Information Lost Pizza Company Website

Collierville: At the Crossroads of Tradition and Innovation Town of Collierville’s Director of Economic Development Addresses Monthly Membership Meeting The Town of Collierville’s Director of Economic Development, John Duncan, offered an insightful look into how the town’s assets are marketed to potential corporate neighbors at the Chamber’s Monthly Membership Meeting on July 12 at First Baptist Church of Collierville. Board Chairman Jimmy Turner began the day’s events with recognition of fellow board members and the many civic and elected leaders in attendance, as well as thanking the Chamber’s many premier partners. He then called attention to the wonderful fried [...]

A Conversation with Tharen Haley Tharen Haley is the general manager of Collierville Funeral Home. In October of this year, he will mark 35 years in the funeral business. He’s a member of the Collierville Rotary Club, a Page Robbins Board Member, Wigfall Grays Sons of Confederate Veterans, and a member of the Collierville Coffee Club. He has four children, Stuart, Forrest, Jake, Hollie, and one granddaughter, Savannah

Action News 5’s Arianna Poindexter’s “Journey to Journalism" Women’s Leadership Network Luncheon Hosts WMC Morning News Anchor The Collierville Chamber hosted the July Women’s Leadership Network Luncheon on Thursday, June 18, at the Ridgeway Country Club. Pansy Hall of Patriot Bank Mortgage, the Women’s Leadership Luncheons sponsor for 2023, welcomed guests and noted just how proud Patriot is to be affiliated with the Women’s Leadership Network. “It’s special when women can come together, talk, and network.” Action News 5’s Morning Anchor Arianna Poindexter took the podium and quickly admitted that she’s more familiar looking at a camera than she [...]

Blue Oval City’s Ursula Madden Addresses Chamber’s Monthly Membership Meeting Madden, External Affairs Manager of Ford’s Blue Oval City, provided valuable insight into the current status and promising future of the West Tennessee Plant The Collierville Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Membership Meeting on Wednesday, June 14, at First Baptist Church of Collierville continued the growing tradition of informative and entertaining programs. Featured speaker, Ursula Madden, External Affairs Manager of Ford’s Blue Oval City, provided valuable insight into the current status and promising future of the West Tennessee Plant. Prior to the day’s featured speaker, Jimmy Turner, Chairman of the [...]

A Conversation with Jennifer Douglas Jennifer Douglas, Executive Director of New Day Children’s Theatre, studied Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities at the University of Memphis, where she served as an advocate, tutor, and mentor for students with disabilities. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama and had the honor of caring for the critically ill for over a decade. Stepping away from the bedside to raise a family, Jennifer has dedicated the past 20 years to the nonprofit sector, creating [...]