Dec 10
19
2010 MCDP Banquet
The Marion County Development Partnership held their 104th annual banquet on at the Woodlawn Family Life Center and invited Robert St. John, Restauranteur and Author, to be their distinguished guest speaker for the evening. As the owner of the Purple Parrot, the Crescent City Grill, and the Mahogany Bar in Hattiesburg and Meridian, he has gained much acclaim in the culinary world. Robert St. John has written several books, has been featured on The Food Network, The Travel Channel, and the Turner South network, and he is past president and chairman of the board of the Mississippi Restaurant Association. He has also served on the board of directors of the Mississippi Arts Commission, The Mississippi Museum of Art, and is on the National Chef’s Council for the Chef’s for Humanity Organization.
Other speakers and presenters included: Rev. CJ Johnson delivering the invocation, Eric Toomer singing the National Anthem, MCDP President Jerry Frazier, Board Member Robin Sanderson, MCDP Secretary Donovan McComb, and MCDP Board Chair Rene Dungan. New board members and committee chairs were introduced, such as Special Events Committee Chair Steve Mercier, Small Business Committee Chair Angela Pounds, Tourism Committee Chair Tony Weinedel, and Keep Columbia & Marion County Beautiful Committee Chair Rene Dungan.
At the banquet, Judge Sebe Dale, Jr. received the Maurice Dantin Leadership Award, which goes to a “citizen of strong moral character, vision and leadership to Marion County who strives to improve the county’s overall quality of life.” Judge Dale has served as Chancery Judge since 1979 and has received many awards for his many years of service to our community and the judicial system. Judge Dale’s grandchildren proudly accepted the award on his behalf, as he was unable to attend the ceremony.
The MCDP Ambassador of the Year Award was awarded to Paula Mathews. Publisher Julie Johnson accepted the award as the Columbian Progress was named as the Business of the Year for its 128 years of community service and involvement. Future plans were also announced for a new parking lot to be built for Pioneer Aerospace behind City Hall and a program for new broadband distribution for our area government buildings, schools, and medical facilities.
Visit Robert St. John’s Website
