1994 'Top 40 Under 40' includes 13 Mississippi State alums

Selected for leadership qualities and business savvy—as well as aggressive dedication to economic progress and community improvement—this year's group includes 13 Mississippi State graduates, several more than any other institution. Fourteen of last Year's Top 40 were Mississippi State graduates.

In January, Gov. Kirk Fordice keynoted a luncheon at the Mississippi Trade Mart recognizing the recipients.

"The prominence of our young graduates among this select group demonstrates that Mississippi State is truly serving Mississippi in a fundamental way," said Dr. Billy Ward, vice president for institutional advancement.

Mississippi State alumni who were honored are:

Mark G. Alexander of Columbus, a 1977 graduate, is president of Alexander's Home Health Agency Inc., a health-care business with 16 in-state offices and operations in Denver and Salt Lake City. He is an advisory director of Trustmark National Bank and a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Mississippi Medicaid Commission.

Michael L. Anthony of Jackson, a 1980 graduate, is president of Thrasher Architectural Products, a building products distribution company. He is a board member of the Group Trust of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association and was a member of the 1993 Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Jackson class.

Alan Callicott of Senatobia, a 1986 graduate, is owner of Callicott Insurance Agency. He is president of the North Central Mississippi Insurance Agents Association, a member of the National Board of Directors of the Mississippi State Alumni Association, and a member of the North Delta Planning and Development District's Local Planning Council.

Raleigh Cutrer of Ridgeland, a 1978 graduate, is a certified professional accountant and partner with the Jackson firm of Matthews, Hearon & Cutrer. He teaches night classes in accounting at Holmes Community College and is active in the Madison County Educational Foundation for Excellence, a program he helped create in 1992 to fund grants for innovative projects for teachers.

Clifton Eley of Jackson, a 1984 graduate, is an investment broker with Trustmark Financial Services Inc. He is active in the National Association of Urban Bankers' Jackson chapter, which advises minority students aspiring to careers in banking and finance. He also is a member of 100 Black Men of Jackson, an organization devoted to mentoring young African-American males.

Sharon D. Harris of Jackson, a 1985 graduate, is a vice president in Trustmark National Bank's retail bank administration department. She is president of Financial Women International, Dixie Group, and was a 1992-93 awardee for the Woman of Excellence for that organization. She also is past president of the National Association of Urban Bankers, Jackson chapter.

Bruce Martin of Meridian, a 1977 graduate, is vice president, treasurer, and director of Meyer & Rosenbaum Inc., an independent insurance agency. He serves on a number of advisory boards, is an officer of WGBC-TV 30 in Meridian, and is active in the Meridian Red Cross and the Meridian Girl Scouts Council. He was the Insurance Women of Meridian's Boss of the Year in 1993.

Randall L. Meador of Laurel, a 1977 graduate, is vice president and manager of Neel-Schaffer's southeast Mississippi region. He was president of the Southeast Area Chapter of the Mississippi Engineers Society in 1991-92 and the group's Outstanding Professional Engineer for 1993. He is a member of the American Planning Association, the American Public Works Association, and the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Travis B. Moore of Southaven, a 1984 and '86 graduate, is vice president of commercial lending at First Commerce Bank. He is chairman of the Southaven Planning Commission and the Southaven Board of Adjustment and is a trustee of DeSoto Leadership 2000. He is active in drug prevention programs, Girl Scouts of America, the United Way, and the Hemophilia Foundation.

Thomas G. Ramey of Jackson, a 1981 graduate, is president of The Ramey Agency, an award-winning Jackson advertising agency with a branch office in Dallas, Texas. His company has won recognition in the London International Advertising Awards, and a Ramey campaign for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra garnered the 1994 Radio Mercury Award as the best public service announcement in America.

Johnny W. Ray Jr. of Jackson, a 1986 graduate, works in the corporate and institutional services division of Trustmark National Bank, where he is responsible for the bank's business throughout the state, including participation loans, fed funds, and investment products for smaller rural banks. He has served as secretary of the Young Bankers Association of Mississippi and is a board member of the Hinds County Unit of the American Cancer Society.

Mark E. Rodgers of Ridgeland, a 1984 graduate, is director of business development and information technology for Cellular Holding, the Jackson-based telecommunications company formerly known as Cellular South. He is a member of Jackson's Downtown YMCA Advisory Board and chairman of the National Personal Communications Industry Association's Marketing and Consumer Affairs Committee.

James R. Slay of Beaumont, a 1978 and '83 graduate, is plant manager for Hood Industries' plywood mill in Beaumont. Since taking charge of the facility four years ago, he is credited with adding 100 employees to the payroll and reviving the operation to a profitable status.