By Marlos Dorsey/JCJC VP Marketing
December 27, 2007 12:06 pm
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When one thinks about multi-billion dollar industries in Mississippi, the military and defense cluster should make the short list. From the shipbuilding yards on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast to American Euro-copter production in the Golden Triangle, thousands of Mississippians earn their living each year with companies who manufacture goods for the defense industry.
Adding to those thousands of working Mississippians are support industry employees for aviation and military personnel who are spread throughout the state. These industries have a tremendously positive impact on the economy of the state. Furthermore, they provide goods and services on a global scale.
So it makes perfect sense that the Jones County Junior College Foundation has selected this industry as their topic of choice for the 5th Annual Economic and Technology Symposium. The Ronald E. Whitehead Advanced Technology Center will host this year’s event titled, “The Economic Impact of the Defense Industry and the Military in Mississippi”.
The event will be held Thursday, Jan.24, 2008 beginning at 8:30 a.m. An impressive array of guest speakers is scheduled to share their stories with the audience. The event is from 9 a.m. to noon with coffee being served at 8:30 a.m. The Advanced Technology Center is located in the Howard Technology Park.
According to Tim Lawrence, JCJC Foundation Board President emeritus, the symposium guests are in for a great morning. “There is a first-class group of speakers for this year’s symposium. Dan Grafton is the retired President of L-3 Vertex, which operates in Madison, Mississippi. This company is in charge of the maintenance for virtually every military aircraft in the sky. Robert “Doc” Foglesong was a four star general and is currently Mississippi State’s president. He will discuss the defense cluster and its success in the Golden Triangle. Sam Adcock is a senior vice-president with EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company). They build American Euro-copters in Columbus, Mississippi and have won the contract to build the newest generations of tankers in Mobile, Ala. Adcock was a key player in helping us keep Mississippi military bases open. General Taco Gilbert is director of strategic planning for the United States Air Force. Prior to that, he was commandant of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy.”
“Phillip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman, oversees a world-class shipbuilding industry that estimates $32 billion in revenues for 2007. Leo Thorsness is one of 109 living Medal of Honor recipients. He was a 7-year POW in Vietnam and has a very powerful story to share with the audience,” said Lawrence.
“The defense industry and the military are both heavy hitters in economic development in Mississippi. I want people to leave knowing a lot more about an industry in Mississippi that they normally don’t think about. That’s the military and defense industries. We don’t necessarily give them the credit they deserve. They are a huge economic engine in our state, “said Lawrence.
Dr. Jesse Smith, president of JCJC is a firm believer in the importance of such events. “The college has three goals that all of our programs evolve from: education of our citizens, the development of economies, and the training of our workforce that support these industries,” said Smith.
“The symposium’s purpose is to increase awareness and educate our constituents on the military, which is a tremendous economic asset for our state. In addition, it is our intention to inform all who attend about the global market of defense spending,” added Smith.
“The array of speakers is one of the most impressive groups of men that we have ever had to speak at the college. We are honored to have them,” said Smith.
For more information, visit www.jcjc.edu or contact the JCJC Foundation at 601-477-4145 or foundation@jcjc.edu.
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