Diamond Young

Francis Saunders is ecommerce business director for GreatNeckTools, the original manufacturer of hacksaw blades. Before returning to Memphis, she lived in Tanzania.  This is her story:

I was born and raised in Memphis and spent a decade in Colorado pursuing my education, exploring the West and building my early career before returning home. I earned a BA in ecology and evolutionary biology with a minor in business innovation from the University of Colorado Boulder and later completed an MBA in global social and sustainable enterprise from Colorado State University. I was also fortunate to spend half a year living and studying in Tanzania, an experience that deepened my appreciation for different cultures, conservation and the interconnectedness of people, communities, businesses, governments and the natural world.

My career has taken me through clean technology, electric vehicles, sustainability, communications, partnerships, entrepreneurship and business development. Before joining GreatNeckTools as ecommerce business director, I worked with EVgo, one of the nation’s largest EV charging networks, and Out of Spec Studios, where I hosted conversations about innovation, electrification and the future of transportation. I have also supported both nonprofit and for-profit organizations through consulting work focused on strategy, communications and growth.

Today, I am proud to be part of GreatNeckTools, a family-owned company with more than a century of history. Founded in 1919 as the original hacksaw blade manufacturer, GreatNeck has grown into a leading supplier of hand tools and automotive specialty tools. Now headquartered in Memphis, the company continues to build on its legacy of quality, value and long-term investment in the communities it serves, employing more than 200 people across offices in Memphis, Johnson City, Bentonville and Taiwan.

Outside of work, I am a self-taught artist and lifelong learner. My background in science taught me that curiosity is one of the most valuable tools we have. One of my favorite quotes is, “A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions.” To me, that idea reflects the importance of remaining open to new perspectives and recognizing how much there is still to learn about the world around us.

One person who has had a particularly strong influence on me is the late Dr. Jane Goodall. I was fortunate to hear her speak twice, once at Christian Brothers University when I was a young girl and again at the University of Colorado Boulder during my undergraduate years. Her curiosity, perseverance and optimism continue to inspire me, and her example reminds me that meaningful change begins with paying attention, asking questions and maintaining hope.

After years away, I returned to Memphis because I wanted to invest my energy and experience in the city that helped shape me. My family is here, my community is here and I believe Memphis has extraordinary potential. My parents have been strong examples of what it means to invest in a community. My mother, Kim Caldwell, has spent decades supporting the arts and nonprofit organizations through her development consulting work. My father, Jake Saunders, is in his 31st year with GreatNeckTools and now serves as CEO. Together with my stepmother, Terry Saunders, he also helped preserve one of Memphis’ most iconic landmarks, A. Schwab on Beale Street. Through their example, I learned the importance of investing in the place you call home.

What excites me most about Memphis is its authenticity. It is a city rich in culture, creativity, music, history and entrepreneurial spirit. I am passionate about how Memphis can continue to strengthen its economy, support artists and entrepreneurs, protect its natural resources, invest in public spaces, embrace innovation and create opportunities for future generations.

When I am not working I enjoy road trips, riding bikes and motorcycles, listening to live music, walking along the Mississippi River, building community and traveling to places I have never been before. One of my favorite books is The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf, which tells the story of Alexander von Humboldt and his revolutionary view of the interconnectedness of nature, science and society.

I believe Memphis has extraordinary potential, and I am excited to spend the next chapter of my life contributing to the people, organizations and ideas that will help shape its future.

Dr. Mary “MJ” McConner is founder and CEO of Inclusive Excellence Consulting. Here’s her story:

Q. Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the west side of Detroit and am a proud graduate of Mumford High School. Growing up in Detroit taught me a lot about resilience and finding opportunity even when things aren’t always easy. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and career.

Education has always been important to me, so I continued my studies at Grand Valley State University where I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I then earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Auburn University.

Professionally, I have spent most of my career helping people grow and succeed. Before launching my consulting business, I worked in higher education in a variety of leadership and student development roles. Today I have the privilege of working with organizations across the country through Inclusive Excellence Consulting, helping leaders build stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures and more effective organizations.

At my core, I am someone who loves helping people reach their full potential. Whether that’s through coaching, training or mentoring, that’s the work that energizes me the most.

Q. What brought you to Memphis?
I moved to Memphis in 2018 after accepting a higher education administration position. Honestly, I fell in love with the city almost immediately.

As someone who grew up in Detroit, Memphis felt familiar in the best possible way. There is a grit and determination here that reminded me of home. Memphis is a city full of people who work hard and care deeply about their community.

I was also drawn to the city’s strong business community and entrepreneurial spirit. As a business owner, I have been incredibly impressed by how supportive and connected Memphis is. People genuinely want to see one another succeed, and there is a real sense of collaboration across the nonprofit, business, government and civic sectors.

What started as a career opportunity quickly became home. Over the years, I have built meaningful relationships and become deeply involved in the community. Memphis has given me so much, and I am grateful to give back to a city that has welcomed me so warmly.

Q. Tell us about your early career path.
My career began in higher education, where I spent more than a decade working in international education and student affairs. Throughout those experiences, I became increasingly passionate about helping people develop as leaders and helping organizations create environments where people could thrive.

As I progressed in my career, I found myself facilitating trainings, coaching aspiring leaders and helping teams navigate challenges and opportunities for growth. Those experiences ultimately inspired me to launch Inclusive Excellence Consulting in 2021.

Today I have the opportunity to partner with organizations across the country to help develop leaders, strengthen teams and build workplace cultures that support both people and performance.

Q. Describe Inclusive Excellence Consulting.
I founded Inclusive Excellence Consulting in 2021 because I have always been passionate about helping people and organizations reach their full potential.

At its core, our work is about helping organizations create workplaces where people can thrive. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, government agencies and associations on leadership development, executive coaching, team effectiveness, employee engagement, strategic planning and organizational culture initiatives.

While we are proudly headquartered in Memphis, we have had the opportunity to work with organizations across the country and facilitate learning experiences that have reached participants representing more than 150 countries.

One of the things I love most about this work is that no two organizations are exactly alike. Every client has a unique story and unique opportunities. Our role is to help them build on their strengths and create the kind of culture that allows both individuals and organizations to succeed.

Q. How is your company helping move Memphis forward?
At Inclusive Excellence Consulting we believe stronger organizations create stronger communities. When leaders are equipped to lead effectively and workplaces invest in their people, organizations become better positioned to serve Memphis and drive economic growth.

We are committed to supporting local businesses, nonprofits and public sector organizations by helping them strengthen their people and culture, which contributes to a more vibrant, connected and competitive Memphis.

Q. Why did you join the Chairman’s Circle?
The Chairman’s Circle brings together leaders who are committed to the long-term success of Memphis. As both a business owner and community leader, I value opportunities to collaborate with

others who are investing in economic development, workforce growth, talent retention and community impact.

Joining the Chairman’s Circle allows me to support the Chamber’s mission while building relationships with leaders who share a collective commitment to helping Memphis reach its full potential.

Q. Please tell us about your community involvement.
Community service has always been an important part of who I am. I am honored to serve as the incoming board chair of RISE Memphis, where we work to help individuals and families achieve financial stability and economic mobility. I also serve as chair of the GiVE 365 Memphis advisory team with the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, vice chair of the board for STS Enterprise Corporation and as a member of the board of Crosstown High School.

In addition, I serve on the senior management council for the Junior League of Memphis as training manager, where I help lead and coordinate training and leadership development efforts for hundreds of women across the region. I am also proud to be a Chairman’s Circle investor with the Greater Memphis Chamber. Being able to contribute my time to causes that matter is both a privilege and a responsibility that I take seriously.

Q. What excites you most about Memphis?
One of the things I love most about Memphis is that it’s a big city that still feels like a community. People here genuinely want to help one another succeed, and I have seen that spirit everywhere.

Memphis is filled with talented and passionate people who care deeply about the future of our city. I also love the entrepreneurial energy here. There are so many individuals and organizations working to create positive change, and collaboration is a big part of what makes Memphis special.

I truly believe Memphis’ best days are ahead of us, and I am excited to be part of the work that is helping move our city forward!

Q. Tell us about your family.
Family is one of the most important parts of my life. My husband and I enjoy spending time together, traveling and supporting one another’s goals and aspirations.
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I have also been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a family of wise and supportive people. My father, grandmothers, great-aunts and aunts have been especially influential in my life. They always seemed to have the right advice or life lesson to help me navigate both challenges and successes. Whether it was offering encouragement during difficult times or celebrating milestones along the way, they helped shape the person and leader I am today.

Q. Who is the most influential person in your life or the best advice you’ve received?
One of the most influential people in my life was my friend and mentor, the late Jay B. Myers. Jay was an incredible entrepreneur and leader in Memphis whose impact continues to shape both my personal and professional life.

When I launched Inclusive Excellence Consulting in 2021, I was eager to learn as much as I could about entrepreneurship. I regularly attended virtual workshops hosted by SCORE Memphis, and one day Jay facilitated a session that immediately caught my attention. His knowledge, authenticity and willingness to share both his successes and lessons learned were incredibly inspiring. After the session, I reached out to him and asked if he would be willing to mentor me. Thankfully, he said yes.

What made Jay so special was his generosity. Even while battling cancer, he continued to make time for me. We met regularly, and he was always willing to share advice, challenge my thinking and help me develop the knowledge and confidence to grow my business. He genuinely wanted to see others succeed and never hesitated to invest his time and wisdom in helping people along their journey.

One of the greatest lessons he taught me was that success isn’t just about what you accomplish for yourself; it’s also about how you help others succeed. His humility and commitment to serving others left a lasting impression on me.

I still think about Jay often, and many of the decisions I make as a business owner and leader are influenced by the wisdom he shared with me. His legacy continues to inspire me every day, and I am grateful that our paths crossed when they did.

Q. What are your favorite pastimes or hobbies?
One of my favorite hobbies is tennis. What started as a way to stay active has become one of the most valuable learning experiences of my life. Surprisingly, it’s made me a better entrepreneur.

Tennis and business ownership have a lot in common. Both require mental toughness, resilience and the ability to stay focused when things don’t go your way. In a tennis match, there are constant highs and lows. You might win a set and then struggle in the next one. You might have a strategy that works perfectly until your opponent makes an adjustment. Success often comes down to how well you adapt and respond to challenges in real time.

The same is true in business. Not every idea works, not every opportunity goes as planned and there are always unexpected obstacles. Tennis has taught me to stay calm under pressure, think strategically and focus on the next point rather than dwelling on mistakes.

I genuinely believe the sport has made me a better leader and business owner by strengthening my ability to pivot and problem-solve. Plus, it’s a great reminder that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from showing up consistently and trusting the process.

Q. What’s your favorite vacation destination?
I absolutely love traveling and experiencing different cultures! One of my favorite destinations is Istanbul, Türkiye, which is my husband’s hometown. It’s an incredibly beautiful city with a rich history, stunning architecture, amazing food and a unique energy that blends Europe and Asia.

One thing that always makes me smile about Istanbul is the cats. They’re everywhere! The city has a special relationship with its feline residents, and as an animal lover, I enjoy seeing how well cared for and embraced they are by the community.

I also have a special place in my heart for Spain. During graduate school I had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, and that experience sparked my love for international travel. Living and studying there allowed me to immerse myself in the culture and broaden my perspective.

Both Türkiye and Spain hold special memories for me and continue to remind me of the value of exploring new perspectives and embracing the richness of different cultures.

Q. What’s your favorite book or movie?
One of my favorite books is “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. It is one of those rare books that I find myself returning to again and again because the lessons are timeless. Whether you’re leading an organization, building a business, serving on a board or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, the principles still apply.

What resonates most with me is Covey’s emphasis on personal responsibility and leading from a foundation of values rather than circumstances. The idea that effective leadership starts with leading yourself first has had a significant impact on both my professional and personal life. As a business owner and lifelong learner, I appreciate that the book challenges readers to build habits and character traits that foster lasting success.

More than 35 years after it was first published, I still believe it’s one of the best leadership and personal development books ever written!

Q. Anything else you’d like readers to know?
I am incredibly grateful to call Memphis home. This city has given me opportunities to grow as a leader, entrepreneur and community member, and I am excited to continue investing in the people and organizations that make Memphis such a special place.

Although Chairman’s Circle investors Terrell and Wiley Richards were born in Chicago, the family’s Mississippi roots run deep. Their parents were from Benton County, about 50 miles southeast of Memphis, and the twins attended school in Ashland.  “We’ve always had strong family connections throughout the Memphis and Mississippi communities,” said Wiley.

When they were 8, their family moved to Mississippi to pursue business opportunities and enjoy a calmer lifestyle. The Richards’ father became a small business owner in 1983, building a construction company that specialized in providing individual wastewater systems for residential homebuilders in rural areas.

After high school, the twins went their separate ways for college – Wiley to Tennessee State University in Nashville and Terrell to then-Memphis State University.  Both earned degrees in business management.

After college, Wiley became a manager in the pharmaceutical distribution industry.  Terrell joined his father in his construction business.  Terrell wasn’t sure he wanted construction to be his career quite yet, but knew where he wanted to live.  “What started as a college decision turned into home,” he said.  “I’ve been part of the Memphis community ever since, and it’s where my father and I launched W&T Contracting Corporation in 1997.”

Wiley joined the family – and the family business – in Memphis in 2002.  “Memphis became home because of our family ties, our business roots and the opportunity to contribute to a community we deeply care about,” he said.  “Through W&T Contracting Corporation we’ve been fortunate to build more than infrastructure – we’ve been able to invest in people, create opportunities and support the growth and future of the Memphis community.”

The choice of Memphis as home to the civil and vertical construction business has been a good one.

W&T Contracting Corporation has grown more than 86 percent since 2014.  Today the company has more than 125 employees in positions from engineers and project managers to equipment operators and Building Information Modeling professionals who use 3D digital models to plan buildings.  W&T has three Memphis locations and a satellite office in Dallas.

“We’ve expanded our capabilities, workforce and project portfolio while remaining committed to creating opportunities, strengthening neighborhoods and improving the built environment,” said Wiley.  “We understand the infrastructure we build today helps shape the future of our city. However, our greatest investment has always been in people and the next generation we help prepare.  We believe we have a responsibility to help build a stronger, more vibrant community through economic opportunity, workforce development and meaningful partnerships.”

In addition to being successful business leaders, the twins have successful marriages.  Terrell has been married to Angela Richards for 29 years, and they have three children and three grandchildren.  Wiley has been married to Terri Knowlton-Richards for 31 years.  They have one daughter and three grandchildren.

The brothers share a commitment to fitness.  “My exercise routine starts my day and enables me to navigate long days,” said Terrell.  “It keeps me disciplined and clears my head before I step onto a job site or into a board meeting.”  Wiley echoes that feeling.  “For me, fitness has always been more than a hobby – it has been a lifelong commitment and a source of balance.  Beyond the physical benefits, the gym provides me with time to reflect, reset and maintain the mindset needed to lead with clarity and purpose.  Taking care of myself is an essential part of being able to take care of my team, my family and the communities W&T serves.”

Wiley is an active member of Plum Bush Lodge.  “I take great pride in the values of service, brotherhood a

nd community it represents.”  He and his wife are members of Hope Presbyterian Church.  “Together we have built a life centered on love, faith, service and family.”  He enjoys international travel and recently visited Europe, Dubai, Thailand and West Africa.  “Each experience has broadened my perspective, deepened my appreciation for different cultures and enriched my understanding of the world,” he said.  His favorite book is 75 Hard: A Tactical Guide to Winning the War with Yourself by Andy Frisella.  “The book translates mental toughness into a practical, daily discipline system rather than presenting it as simply a motivational idea,” he said.  “I strongly believe confidence and resilience are built through repeated execution of difficult tasks and that mindset aligns with my own personal values and approach to life.”

Terrell serves on the boards of Southern Avenue Charter School and the Greater Memphis Local Workforce Development Board.  “Both roles let me invest directly in Memphis’ future — supporting education and helping build a strong, skilled local workforce,” he said.  His favorite vacation

destination is Jamaica, where “the culture, the people and the pace of the island help me recharge.”  His favorite book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and he just finished reading The Black Family Who Built America, by Cheryl McKissack Daniel.  “As a Black contractor who co-founded a business with my father, her family’s story of building one of the oldest minority-owned construction firms in the country really resonated with me. It’s a reminder that what we’re doing at W&T is part of a larger legacy,” he said.

When asked who has had the most influence on their lives, perhaps not surprisingly both men responded with their father and business co-founder, Willie Richard.  “He taught me success is not measured only by what you build, but by whom you help along the way.  Watching him create W&T Contracting Corporation showed me the importance of hard work, doing things the right way and using your success as a platform to create opportunities for others. One of the best pieces of advice I received from him was ‘Always do what’s right, even when no one is watching.’ That principle has guided me in business, in leadership and in serving our community,” said Wiley.  Terrell added, “He showed me what it means to build something with integrity — not just buildings, but relationships and reputation. The best advice he gave me was simple: ‘Do right by people and the work will take care of itself.’  That’s guided how I’ve run W&T since we launched it together in 1997, and it’s what I try to pass on to my kids and grandkids.”

The brothers say community involvement is at the heart of who they are. “W&T is committed to giving back through partnerships, sponsorships, mentoring and service initiatives that create lasting impact. We support organizations focused on education, healthcare, youth development, workforce opportunities and community improvement.  From mentoring students and supporting local schools to partnering with nonprofits and participating in service projects, we strive to make a difference where we live and work,” said Wiley.

Their investment in the Chairman’s Circle is an extension of that commitment to their community.  “At W&T Contracting, we want to be part of helping this city become what we already know it has – greatness,” said Terrell.  “We joined the Chairman’s Circle because we want to be good community partners and help in any way we can to build Memphis — a city we love and call home.”  Wiley added, “We believe collaboration between businesses, community leaders and organizations is essential to creating opportunities and advancing our city. The Chairman’s Circle aligns with our values of leadership, economic development and investing in the future of Memphis.  For W&T, moving Memphis forward means more than constructing buildings and infrastructure—it means helping build stronger communities, creating pathways for success and leaving a legacy of positive impact for generations to come.”

Their belief in Memphis is strong.  “Memphis has a unique combination of location, workforce, culture and growth potential,” said Wiley.  “We have strategic logistics advantages, a business-friendly cost structure along with plenty of talent.”

“What excites me most about Memphis right now is its momentum,” said Terrell.  “This is a city with a deep, diverse culture and unlimited opportunities to flourish — and we’re seeing it happen. From downtown reinvestment to young talent choosing to build their careers here, Memphis is proving what we’ve always known: it has greatness. I’m excited that W&T gets to be part of that, putting Memphians to work and helping shape the skyline of a city that loved us back the moment we showed it love.”

For Ashley Boggs Robilio, the restaurant business has never just been a career — it has been a way of life.

Born and raised in Memphis, Robilio grew up immersed in the hospitality industry, learning the business firsthand from her father, the late Thomas Boggs, founder of the iconic Huey’s restaurant chain.  Boggs personally trained his children, coaching and preparing them to establish a family dream team and ensure the restaurant’s success.  Long before Robilio became president of the company, she spent weekends helping with food preparation, salads and onion rings, eventually working her way through nearly every position in the organization.

Her first real job was in a restaurant – of course – at Dairy Queen at the Mall of Memphis.  She was also a server, then later a bartender at the original Huey’s in Midtown. “As they say, the rest is history,” Robilio said.

After graduating in 1989 from the inaugural hospitality and restaurant management class at the University of Alabama, Robilio gained experience in fine dining establishments in Massachusetts and Alabama before returning home to Memphis.  She joined Huey’s management team and helped open the company’s East Memphis location, beginning a journey that would take her from general manager to area manager, vice president, chief operating officer and, in 2023, president of the company.

Those decades of hands-on experience continue to shape her leadership style.

“I try to be fair. Fairness to me is very important,” she said. “If you tell me you’re going to do something, then do it.  And if you mess up — and you will — just fix it and move on.”

Robilio credits both of her parents for influencing her approach to life and business.  “My mom showed us what unconditional love looked like, and my dad taught me all about the business,” she said.  “They both had a very strong work ethic.”

Today, Huey’s has 10 restaurants and 650 employees across the Greater Memphis region. Bartlett is hopefully next on Huey’s location target list.

These days, you can find Robilio at the Huey’s corporate office working across all facets of the company, supporting operations, finance, HR and more. Like her father, she is passionate about her  job and tackles business with a hands-on approach. She is known for being a servant leader and would never ask Huey’s managers and staff to do anything she would not readily do herself. She still enjoys working in the different restaurants and getting to know Huey’s staff and customers.

Beyond her work at Huey’s, Robilio is deeply committed to community service. She has been actively involved in the Memphis Restaurant Association, Kiwanis Club of Memphis, Leadership Memphis, Memphis Food Bank and New Memphis.  She delivers Meals on Wheels through MIFA.  She’s also a member of Vistage Memphis.

She has served on the boards of DeNeuville Learning Center, Project Greenfork, Overton Park Shell and MIFA.  She participates in literacy programs with Idlewild Elementary.  She has been recognized by the Memphis Business Journal as both a Super Woman in Business and one of the Women Who Lead.  The Girl Scouts recognized her with a One Smart Cookie award, and the Commercial Appeal recognized Robilio and her sisters on the list of the top 20 female trailblazers who have made their mark on the Memphis food scene.

Robilio enjoys traveling, reading, snow skiing and hiking.  She’s been married to fellow restauranter Michael Robilio since 2013 and has a son, Zachary, who is 26 years old.  She’s also close to the rest of her family, including her mother and siblings.  “My brother Alex is back in the business, and that has been so great.  He is so fun and reminds me of our dad,” she said.  Her favorite book is Shawshank Redemption.  “I just loved their friendship, and what a great ending!” she said.

Why does Huey’s choose to invest in the Chairman’s Circle?  “My father taught us early to get plugged in and always give back to the community,” she said.  “I can’t remember a time that we weren’t donating food, gift cards, our time, our advice to others.  He was a great role model for that.  Our whole family has lived in Memphis and we all just love it.  We know how special it is!  When we learned about the Chairman’s Circle, we were simply blown away.  It was like a best kept secret to us.  We wanted to be a part of helping Memphis grow.”

And her favorite thing about Memphis?  “That is a hard question!” she said.  “I love our sports teams, our restaurant scene, the beautiful Mississippi River, our parks and our friendly people.  There are all these different fun pockets throughout the city.  I like to experience it all.”

In 2026 Robilio received one of the highest honors in her profession when the Memphis Restaurant Association named her Distinguished Restaurateur of the Year.

“It means the world to me,” she said.  “I was truly so surprised and so honored.  It’s also very cool because both my dad and sister have won it.  So it’s come full circle.”

When asked what advice she’d give to someone stepping into a leadership role in the restaurant industry today, she said, “Don’t do it! No, I am joking.  I love this crazy world we’re all in.  My advice would be:  Be a Good listener.  Do what you say you’re going to do.  Have people in your world that you trust for good advice.  People that will tell you what you need to hear, not want to hear.  Take chances and have fun!”

For Robilio, business success is measured not only by restaurant growth but by investing in employees, serving the community and helping Memphis thrive — lessons she learned from her father and continues to pay forward.

Meet the Chairman’s Circle

Marcel Ferrere

Marcel Ferrere had a connection with Greater Memphis before he even thought about moving here.  John Grisham – author, lawyer and former politician who, though born in Jonesboro, considers Memphis his hometown – is one of his two favorite authors (the other is Nelson DeMille).  As you can probably guess, Ferrere enjoys reading, particularly crime and legal fiction.

He also likes camping.  “I’ve done a lot of camping in Pigeon Forge and have visited Gatlinburg frequently while camping there,” he said.

And he really likes working.  “I delivered newspapers, mowed lawns and shoveled snow until I was old enough to get a job,” he said.  “I started investing in stocks with the help of my father.  I worked at McDonalds for almost seven years, which helped me pay for college.  I was a shift manager when I left McDonalds for my first engineering job.”

Ferrere grew up in Grove City, a small town in western Pennsylvania.  “I attended Grove City College so I could get a great engineering education and pay my way through school,” he said.  “I paid for college and graduated with an engineering degree debt free.”

He enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard when he was just a junior in high school and attended miliary officer candidate school during his junior year in college.  His nearly 24-year military career instilled a leadership philosophy centered on accountability, resilience, and team development.

Ferrere’s engineering career quickly evolved from product development into leadership roles overseeing new product lines and manufacturing operations. His sweet spot is developing innovative HVAC solutions and sales selection tools, and he has repeatedly stepped into roles that required both technical expertise and organizational transformation, including managing product lines that reshaped market expectations.

AAON is a publicly traded American manufacturer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment with highly configurable, energy efficient products for commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1988.  AAON is headquartered in Tulsa and operates manufacturing facilities across the United States.

 

Just a year ago Ferrere moved to Memphis to support the launch of AAON’s new manufacturing facility.  “We purchased our Memphis plant December 2024 and started production February 2025,” he said.  “I moved here to support that expansion.”

AAON joined the Chairman’s Circle to help the company build relationships and recruit high-quality employees.  “We are grateful to be part of the momentum in Memphis.” he said.  “We became a member of the Chairman’s Circle because we are committed to being an active and responsible partner in the community through employment opportunities, supporting local partners and contributing meaningfully to the long-term success of the region.  We joined the Chamber and specifically the Chairman’s Circle to support the growth potential for our business and the drive of the Memphis workforce.  We have had several successful hiring events and have more planned as we ramp up our Memphis team to support our customers. The Memphis Chamber, City and County leadership are focused on positive growth and opportunities for other businesses to come to Memphis to support current businesses.”

Ferrere’s leadership style has been shaped by his previous great bosses.  “Managers I have had as I got into management roles reviewed with me the value of focusing on being a servant leader,” he said.  “As leaders, we need to support out teams and provide them the tools to be successful including mentoring them and helping them achieve their development and professional goals.  Early in my miliary career, when I was a first lieutenant, my leader helped me learn how to lead soldiers in a pressure-filled environment.  That became very beneficial as I grew in my civilian career.  There are so many characteristics I learned in the military that can be of huge value leading in the business environment.”

In addition to his fiction favorites, Ferrere has two favorite business books.  One is “Who Moved My Cheese?”  “Earlier in my career, the company was going through some significant changes between management and projects” he said.  “This was a mandatory book for anyone in leadership to read.  It really helped us put change into perspective.  I’ve read it a number of times since, and we had book clubs at a few companies using this book to help the team understand change.”  His other favorite business book is “The Goal.”  “An engineering leader gave me this book to read when I moved into a plant manager role,” he said.  “It’s one of the best manufacturing/business books I’ve read.  I’ve also used this as a book club topic at two different companies.  I currently mentor a few of our engineering personnel and suggest they read both of these books.”

Ferrere is already engaged locally, serving on the Moore Tech Occupational Advisory Committee and supporting workforce development initiatives. He is particularly energized by Memphis’ growth trajectory and the determination of its workforce—qualities he sees as essential to the success of our businesses and our community.

Lenore Trammell is the last remaining Day 1 employee at Big River Steel.

She’s played a huge role in shaping Chairman’s Circle investor Big River Steel, which is headquartered in Osceola, Ark., a town of about 6,500 an hour north of Memphis.

Big River Steel is a “technology company that happens to make steel,” using digital technology to optimize production.   The highly advanced, sustainable mill combines an electric arc furnace with the only endless strip production line in the country.   That ESP line allows for rapid, low-emission, high-quality steel production from recycled scrap for automotive, solar and construction companies.   The company uses up to 90 percent recycled steel and is the first North American steel producer to be certified by ResponsibleSteel.

A native of a Detroit suburb, Lenore began her career in sales at Rogue Steel and was promoted to assistant general counsel as the company became Severstal Dearborn.  There, she managed complex legal and commercial matters, including negotiating and implementing a $1.3 billion capital expenditure program, overseeing a $100 million capital equipment purchase contract and saving more than $5 million by resolving potential liability claims.  She also led procurement supporting more than $100 million in annual spend.

Over time, Lenore built a reputation for “negotiating and drafting multimillion-dollar contracts” and ensuring compliance across complex transactions.

Lenore was recruited from the Detroit area – with a population of 4.4 million people – by Big River Steel  in tiny Osceola.   She admits, “For a big-city girl, I didn’t know what to think.   But we figured it out.  We made it work.   I love living in Osceola and spending time in Memphis.”  The company’s location near rail, I-55 and the Mississippi River was strategic, as was joining the Chairman’s Circle when Big River Steel needed to double its workforce in 12–18 months.  “We needed to have a larger regional reach, so we joined the Chairman’s Circle.   It has really paid off for us,” she said.

Lenore serves as chief administrative officer, chief compliance officer and general counsel of Big River Steel, roles she has helped shape since joining the company in 2014 as a Day 1 employee.  “As soon as Big River Steel closed on their financing, I gave my notice and moved here two weeks later,” she recalls.   Today, she is “the last Day 1 employee left,” having grown with the company to 1,850 employees across two Northeast Arkansas facilities “almost next door to each other—you can see one from the other.”

In 2019, while continuing as chief compliance officer and general counsel, she was promoted to CAO and now serves on the executive committee and as executive sponsor of Big River’s NextGen, the company’s employee resource group.

She is also co-chair of the Chairman’s Circle Workforce Task Force and was recently elected to the Chamber’s board of directors.

Lenore’s path into steel was unexpected.  “I started in steel a year out of undergrad as a temp employee.  I was headed to law school, but they asked me to stay and said they would pay for law school.  I said yes (duh!) and worked full time while going to law school at night,” she said.   Initially, she “did not have an interest in steel at all,” but now says, “I am very happy with my career choice.   My career in steel has taken me to places I never thought I’d go.” In a male-dominated industry, she describes herself as “very much a unicorn.”

Active in the Arkansas Chamber, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas—where she was named 2024 Woman of the Year in Business—and other civic organizations, Lenore will also soon become an author with the upcoming publication of Curating a God Life.   “A lot of people want to have a good life.  But I really think they want the God life,” she said.  Guided by the advice “Chance favors the prepared mind,” she balances leadership with family, Pilates, reading and cheering on her son as his “biggest fan.”

Sarah Jemison was not supposed to come back to Memphis.

A Princeton graduate with a resume rooted in federal housing policy, she had built a meaningful life in Washington, D.C., working on national advocacy for people with the fewest resources and the least margin for error.  Memphis—her hometown, the place where her parents still live, where her father founded a successful property management company more than five decades ago—was not part of the plan.

“I didn’t initially intend to come back,” she said plainly.  “I knew I loved affordable housing and enjoyed working in that field.  But I was working on policy that was really removed from actual homes or actual people living in homes.  It wasn’t tangible enough for me.”

That distance began to wear on her.  In D.C., Sarah Jemison worked for the National Low Income Housing Coalition, focusing on the housing needs of people living far below the commonly cited “low income” threshold.  In Memphis terms, that meant families earning $12,000 a year or less—people for whom even subsidized rent can feel precarious.

“We’d work on policy that may or may not come to fruition,” she said.  “If we were lucky, our work might have an impact, but it would be something very far in the distance.”

Then came a conversation she nearly didn’t take.

Sarah Jemison agreed to meet with ALCO Management’s head of development, Berkeley Burbank, to talk—casually, she thought—about a potential role on the company’s development team.  ALCO, founded by her father Frank Jemison in 1974, manages affordable housing across the Southeast.  The meeting was meant to be exploratory.

“About five minutes into the conversation,” she recalls, “I was confident that I wanted to come home to Memphis, to ALCO and work on this team—to be in a position where I could work closely with actual homes and actual residents and actual communities.”

She joined Chairman’s Circle investor ALCO Management Inc. at the start of 2018.

Since then, Sarah has served as chief strategy officer and chair of the board, helping guide a company that manages roughly 5,500 apartment homes across 55 communities, housing more than 20,000 people and employing more than 200 team members.  On Jan. 1 she will become president and CEO.

ALCO has been based in Memphis for its entire 50-plus-year history, and Sarah Jemison is clear-eyed about what that longevity requires.

“We know our residents don’t have a lot of options, which means the market doesn’t necessarily dictate that we provide high-quality housing,” she said.  “So it’s incumbent upon us to hold ourselves to a higher standard than demand would suggest— ensuring we provide residents a high-quality place to live, regardless of income.”

ALCO’s work focuses on renovating older properties through federal programs like Section 8 Rental Assistance and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.  Residents typically pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, with the federal government covering the rest.

“If someone is paying 30 percent of $12,000 a year,” she said, “they deserve the same dignity and quality as anyone else.  Our community will be stronger as a whole if they have a secure foundation from which to build their lives.”

That philosophy extends beyond buildings.  Under Sarah Jemison’s leadership, ALCO has expanded its emphasis on service coordination, partnerships with local nonprofits and employee development.  Positions at ALCO range from roles requiring a high school diploma or GED to those requiring advanced degrees—and Sarah is intentional about making room for growth at every level.

“We’re not just training people to do their jobs,” she said.  “We’re investing in professional development, leadership coaching and long-term careers.  If we want communities to flourish, our employees have to flourish too.”

Sarah’s thinking about housing is inseparable from her thinking about Memphis itself.  She lives near Crosstown, in the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood, and talks about the city’s creative energy—its artists, entrepreneurs and small businesses.  But she’s also clear that a thriving city cannot be built solely for its most comfortable residents.

“If we want people to choose Memphis, we need a city that is built for all its residents, not just the top 20 percent. For those of us who run companies and often find ourselves in that top quintile, it is easy to feel removed from the experiences of the vast majority of Memphians. Yet our concerns need not be. We all want the same things – we want safety, we want stable families and thriving children, we want well-educated employees and neighbors, we want thriving culture and businesses and we want abundant opportunity, said Sarah.  “That Memphis, one that serves all of its residents, those with and without resources, serves us and our businesses as well.  And it’s built through intentional investment in education, workforce development, community development and social supports – investments that those who run companies are well positioned to champion. And if we do, we can be the force that creates a Memphis that works, not just for us, but for all.”

That perspective is deeply shaped by her experience listening to residents whose lives look nothing like her own upbringing.  And it’s shaped by her family.  “My siblings and I are definitely working with the foundation created for us,” Sarah said.  “My parents have been for their entire careers very invested in Memphis.  My mom, who was a graduate of UT medical school, has worked at Church Health and all across Memphis and now is invested in hospice and palliative care in the city.  My parents have done a great deal to invest in Memphis.  My sister now lives in Greenville, South Carolina, and my brother and I are here, but all three of us are continuing to engage in our communities and try to move them forward with a focus on justice and equity in a way that can advance and move our entire community forward.”

Jemison is careful to reject simplistic narratives about poverty.

“Most people are doing the best they can with what they’ve got,” she said.  “They’re making the best economic choices available to them, even if those decisions are not beneficial for the long term. But a long-term view can be a distant luxury for a mom trying to put food on the table for her kids.  And when you understand the reality of people’s lives—growing up with more trauma, more fear, more stress, fewer resources—the decisions of people living in poverty make sense.”

She talks about dignity often.  About curiosity.  About what happens when policy-makers, business leaders and philanthropists stop assuming they know what’s best and start asking people with lived experience what would actually help.

“We can’t come at this thinking there’s one cause of poverty and one solution,” she said.  “But if we assume the best about people, we can get curious, ask the right questions and together work toward better futures. It will require thoughtful, coordinated and long-term efforts from all of us. Many of those efforts are underway. And I am excited for us, our community’s business leaders, to lean in to support this complex work with compassion, creativity and commitment, not only because it is our civic duty but also because, ultimately, it’s in our own best interest.”

That belief also shapes how she and her family think about philanthropy and development.

“We think a lot about the city we want to have, the Memphis we want to help build,” she said.  “Not what we can extract—but what we’re leaving behind when the project is done.”

That’s also why ALCO, Frank Jemison, and now Sarah Jemison invest in the Chairman’s Circle.  “Memphis needs a lot of things to move it to its highest potential,” Sarah said.  “We need business initiatives to move us forward, we need high-quality, high-paying jobs, support for schools in all parts of the city, connections to jobs now and in the future.   Supporting that connection is ultimately our goal through the Chairman’s Circle.”

Sarah chairs the board for ALCO.  She also serves on the board of Longleaf Partners Funds and the combined board of The Works and Neighborhood Preservation Inc.

What excites her about Memphis?  “I love Memphis,” she said.  “Its potential for creativity and connection.  The people invested in this city and ways to move it forward.  Creative and generous people.  Not just philanthropic people but also people who make investments in this city.  I love to see the way small businesses are growing here.”

Away from work, Jemison finds grounding in her garden.  After days filled with strategy meetings and long-term planning, she relishes the simplicity of tending a small plot of land—planting greenery, arranging bouquets, bringing flowers into the office for coworkers whose favorites she keeps track of.

“It feels manageable,” she said.  “And it reminds me that small, intentional things add up.”

That sensibility—careful, patient, rooted—mirrors how she approaches both housing and Memphis.  Sarah Jemison may not have planned to come home.  But once she did, she committed fully to the long view: quality homes, quality jobs and a city shaped not by fear or distance, but by dignity and connection.

There are many ways to express a love for Memphis.  Laurie Powell does that through respectful, evidence-based mental healthcare.  She was a champion for a new name for her organization to remove some of the stigma that comes from seeking treatment for mental health.

Laurie is CEO of Alliance Healthcare Services.  When she started working there in 1993, the organization was called Southeast Mental Health Center.  “We changed our name to Alliance because of the stigma involved with going into a facility called ‘mental health,’” she said.  And the logo, which capitalizes the “all” in ALLiance, reflects the team’s commitment to bringing mental healthcare to the masses.  “We changed the logo to highlight ‘all’ — it’s ALL of us. Alliance. That ALL is highlighted because it’s going to take all of us, working together as a community,” she said.

Laurie attended the University of Memphis and earned her bachelor’s in sociology. “I thought I wanted to be a sociologist,” she said.  “I did research, statistics, all that.  Then I fell in love with mental health when I did an internship with a psychologist. So I went back and got a master’s in social work and a license in social work  I really like talking to people. I like helping people. So I was a therapist for the first 10 years.”

Her experience as a therapist in South Memphis and Orange Mound revealed much need.

Memphis is a city that’s beginning to realize its potential, thanks in large part to the work of the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Chairman’s Circle.  But there are still large areas of poverty.  And with poverty, there’s often trauma.

“Memphis is a traumatized city,” she said. “Just look at the pockets of poverty and the trauma the kids are experiencing. These kids become adults. If you haven’t addressed that trauma, you don’t know that there is hope, that you can have a career, that you don’t have to be stuck in that cycle of trauma and poverty.”

Laurie recognizes the need for early intervention when a Memphian needs mental healthcare.  One of her early victories at Alliance was securing a grant to provide emergency mental healthcare to people who recently experienced a psychotic break. “The research shows if you’re able to get someone in treatment within the first two years of their psychotic episode and give them the evidence-based treatment, you can help them get employment, go to school,” she said.  People who don’t get the help they need can end up homeless, or worse. Laurie’s grant provided funds to establish “an intensive team of 10 people, including a psychiatrist, a therapist and an employment specialist, who go out into the community,” she said. “They’re giving long-acting injectables for psychosis at hotels. They’re going to homeless shelters doing treatment on the spot.”

Schools are another focus for Alliance under Laurie’s leadership.  “One of my passions has always been early intervention so the school-to-prison pipeline can be diverted,” Laurie said.  Alliance pioneered a program to place mental health liaisons in schools, a program that earned the support of Governor Bill Lee. “The goal is to have a therapist in every school to work with that school, work with families and be a resource, so the therapist comes to you,” she said.  “You don’t have to come to the mental health facility. We do as much community-based work as we can.”

Laurie was born in Newport News, Va.  Her father was a scientist, and she followed her parents to Memphis when she was 19.  She attended the University of Memphis, where she earned a scholarship for a master’s in sociology.  She then earned a master’s in social work from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Laurie married Michael Harrison, a therapist and nurse, just a year after she started working at Alliance.  They had two sons, Ethan, now 23, and Nicholas, now 18.

In 2018 Alliance’s CEO retired, and Laurie applied for the position. “I’d done just about every job there is at Alliance,” she said.  “In my interview, the strategic plan I presented included a crisis center for Memphis.  Too many people are incarcerated who have mental illness and not enough access to care.”  She got the job.

“My husband, Michael, was a big advocate for what I was trying to do,” she said.  “He supported me when I became CEO.  He was my biggest champion and my best friend.  Lots of people don’t have that kind of support in their spouse. When we decided to have kids, he actually changed his whole career to make sure Ethan and Nicholas were taken care of and I could focus on my career. It amazes people when I tell them that story.”

Six years after Laurie became Alliance’s CEO, her dream of a mental health crisis center became a reality.  The $35 million, 55,000-square-foot facility at 3200 Broad Avenue opened this February.

For Laurie, the moment was bittersweet. In 2015, her husband was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The first round of treatment was successful, but his cancer returned in early 2020.  He died in August 2020.  “I started working on this building right before he died,” Laurie said.  “And it’s been a labor of love for the five years since he died.  He knew this was one of my biggest passions, that I’m going to do this, to see it from the beginning designs and then through the final construction. That did give me something to focus on during the grieving process.”

Laurie said her goal with the new center was to expand access to care and build a crisis facility for adults in Memphis and Shelby County.  “Our community deserves that,” she said.  “We expanded access to care by increasing the number of beds available for detox, crisis stabilization and respite. We added outpatient services to the new crisis location to remove barriers for ongoing care. We have 500 employees with a budget of more than $60 million, with 20 locations throughout Memphis and Shelby County including outpatient, crisis, peer support and housing services.

“Our next phase will be opening a 24/7 crisis facility for children and youth that will remove barriers to care with the goal to divert families in need of immediate behavioral healthcare from waiting in emergency rooms,” she said.  “A long-term vision is to have first responders bring adults and children to the crisis centers who would benefit from immediate treatment instead of incarceration.”

Laurie’s thoughtful leadership for Memphis has been honored.  She was named a 2025 CEO of the Year by Memphis Magazine, an honor shared by the Chamber’s own president and CEO, Ted Townsend.

When she’s not working to meet our community’s mental health challenges, Laurie loves spending time with her family and traveling to new places.  “I love New Mexico,” she said.  “My son Ethan’s wife is from there, and Sante Fe and Taos are my favorite spots.”

Laurie also loves reading.  “I love any book by Jane Austen,” she said.  “I took a class called British Novels in college, and I was hooked. I also love to sing and was in choir my entire youth through college. I love many styles of music.  It is therapy to me.  I even took opera vocal lessons years ago.”

Even though some might find her work a real challenge, Laurie sees wonderful things happening in this community.  “I love living in Memphis,” she said.  “I feel there is a movement growing where we realize we must all work together to lift the community up!  We are all connected.  When I meet with other agency and community leaders, I know we will move this community forward.”

That’s why Laurie and her team invest in the Chairman’s Circle.  “This is one reason Alliance joined the Chairman’s Circle:  We learn more about issues that we can address together.  Together we can solve anything.  Alliance’s mission it to promote wellness in our community, and I think the Chamber and Chairman’s circle want to lift up the community as well.”

Laurie also works to lift the community through service on the boards of the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations, Tennessee Ballet Theatre and the Healing Center.

Laurie has had mentors along the way.  She cites Pastor Diane Young, Pat Morgan and Commissioner Marie Williams.  “These strong women have paved the way in the behavioral health field and are compassionate and wise,” she said.  “My deceased husband was my biggest supporter and advisor.  Without him, I would not be in the position I am in today.”

And how does she feel about the position she’s in now?  “Thirty-one years in mental health – I obviously didn’t do it to be wealthy, you know? I’m passionate about Memphis, and that’s why I’ve stayed here,” she said.

Wouldn’t the world be a whole lot less interesting if Memphis wasn’t in it?

That’s how Chairman’s Circle investor Russ Wigginton describes his passion for Memphis, the hometown he eventually chose after he came here to attend Rhodes College.

Russ has lived in many different places: Louisville, Evansville, Nashville, Youngstown, Boston.  He attended graduate school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  After that, a fellowship brought him back to Rhodes and back to Memphis.  And he’s chosen Memphis as his home ever since.

“I came back to Memphis by choice,” he said.  “I was working on my dissertation, and I had a fellowship offer from Rhodes.  But I also had another fellowship offer, at Duke.  And obviously I intended to accept that.  It was Duke, after all.  So I respectfully declined the fellowship at Rhodes.  But Jim Daughdrill, president of Rhodes at the time, invited me back to visit Rhodes, to walk around campus and see some old friends.  I decided I should at least accept his invitation to visit.  Things changed when I got here.  I saw an opportunity at Rhodes and being back in Memphis.  I felt this was where I was supposed to be.  But then I had to call Duke.  Duke kept reminding me how lucky I was to get the offer.  Rhodes was telling me how lucky they would be to have me.  That difference mattered.

“Being back in Memphis was interesting, appealing to me,” he said.  “I wanted community that was distinctive from my job.  There’s no disconnecting from your job in a college town like Durham, where Duke is.  When I was at Rhodes, I wanted to be all in.  But when I was in Memphis, I wanted to be all in.  It’s not like I drew the short straw and came back to Memphis.  I 100 percent came by choice.”

Russ majored in history at Rhodes.  “I also took a lot of business courses,” he said.  “Rhodes didn’t offer minors, but those business courses would’ve amount to a minor at another school.  And I had the influence, the flexibility and the encouragement of my dad, who worked in HR.”  Those fields of study laid the foundation for his career.

Russ worked for marketing research firm Yacoubian Research for three years as an undergrad.  “During a lot of the interviews I had when I got out of college, they were intrigued that I had worked in marketing research.  I was used to completing surveys by phone, getting opportunities to engage with people in short intervals so we could get information.  Once I started working in sales and marketing, being a history major helped a lot.  I worked for Oscar Mayer, where I studied trends and patterns of the past and used that information to justify my quarterly advertising promotions.  My competitors were reacting week to week, and I was thinking quarterly.  That long-term view based in my education in history gave us an advantage in the market.

“What I wasn’t predicting was what I would do for the long haul.  But I knew working in sales and marketing would serve me well,” he said.  “I found myself often in these liaison roles between people and between organizations.  I like engaging with people, connecting with people.  That combined with a few leadership roles, and I started to branch out.  It’s not like I overthought where my career was going.  I was just trying to get some professional footing where I had some affinity and just let the future unfold.”

Leadership came naturally to Russ.  He was president of the Black Student Association during his junior year at Rhodes.  During his 23 years at Rhodes, he had a different job every four or five years.  “It’s not like I planned it that way,” he said.  “It’s just how I move.  I like challenges.  I like the journey, the goals.  The journey is as important as the destination.  Then I’m ready for the next journey.  At Rhodes I had the opportunity to take all these journeys.”

But now he’s president at the National Civil Rights Museum, and this is where he plans to spend the rest of his career.  “This will be my last full-time job,” he said.  “There’s a symbiotic relationship between the city and the museum.  Opened in 1991, the museum honors a pivotal moment.  It’s recognition of a place and an era our city struggled with and struggled through.  It’s the motel and the city struggling with the taint of where Dr. King was killed.  The museum set the stage for us to take a tragedy and make it something that could feed our spirit.  And not just in Memphis, but to take that and transfer it to the rest of the county and the world.

“The Museum has served as the town square for our city.  A place for everybody,  A place where differences get minimalized or deemphasized, where we become simply members of the Memphis community.  There are only a few special places where that happens.  Maybe Grizzlies games, Tigers games, at Live at the Garden or Tom Lee Park.  And at the National Civil Rights Museum.  We need each other.  We rely on each other.  It’s a ‘we’re all in this together’ kind of situation,” he said.

With its reach, the National Civil Rights Museum has lots of opportunities for partnerships.  And Russ said the Chairman’s Circle is one of the museum’s most valuable.  “We are intentional about our partnerships, and we consider them in various tiers of possibility,” said Russ.  “Real intentionality is that top tier, the partnerships where we strategically work together in ways that are mutually beneficial.  I would put the Chairman’s Circle in that top tier because it’s a natural way for us to be in space and conversation where supporters and the museum can have win-win opportunities.  It’s important.”

Russ points to the impact the National Civil Rights Museum has on Memphis.  “We have a responsibility given who we are to be immersed in the work of the Chamber,” he said.  “We draw a lot of visitors to Memphis.  When people are exposed to Memphis, they can impact businesses of all sizes in this community.  We can be catalyst in that regard.”

Russ sees both personal and professional benefits in his service to the community.  He currently serves on the boards of the Community Foundation, ARTSMemphis, BRIDGES, Code Crew, Tennessee SCORE and Rhodes College.  “I don’t walk into a lot of rooms where I don’t know anyone,” he said.  “I’ve been able to do things in this community because of those relationships.”

Russ encourages Memphians to experience Memphis.  “Depending on what’s happening in your world – or the world – it’s a different experience.  When you travel, you try new restaurants, museums, zoos, galleries.  I want more people who live here to do that here.  It keeps you familiar and appreciative of what we have here.  People do that in another city and they talk about how great that place is.  But if you do that in Memphis, you will have distinct experiences that people in most cities don’t have.  It’s a way to remind yourself there’s a lot here to be appreciated.  If you’re not already inclined to think like that, it’s easy to trickle away from that mindset.”

Russ is married to Tomeka Hart Wigginton, president and CEO of United Way of the Mid-South.  “Tomeka is a native Memphian who has had an interesting and fascinating career.  She has lived all over the country, too.  But we both see Memphis as home.  We’re here by choice.”

The Wiggintons have a son studying clinical and community psychology in graduate school at Vanderbilt following his graduation magna cum laude from University of Richmond.  “School is natural for him,” said Russ.

Russ and Tomeka spend two weeks at Martha’s Vineyard each August.  “It’s a fascinating time when black people from all over the country gather for an annual arts and cultural celebration.  There’s a film festival, artists of all types, professional engagement opportunities.  There’s acknowledgement of the part of the ocean that’s call the Inkwell where African Americans used to be relegated to that part of the beach.  It’s now a sacred spot.  It’s a fascinating experience.  We just love it.  When we leave, we’ve already booked for the next year.”

Russ said he reads Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail at least annually.  “It’s one of the most provocative writings that’s ever been produced in this country,” said Russ.  He enjoys playing golf, whether alone or with others.  “I don’t play nearly as much as I’d like to,” he said.  “I love the camaraderie, but playing by yourself can be therapeutic.”

His parents were his role models.  Like his dad, Russ is the primary cook in his household.  “I grew up watching my dad cook, so I thought that was natural,” he said.  “We even exchanged recipes.”  Also like his dad, Russ collects music.  “My dad was a music collector for 60 years,” Russ said.  “He accumulated about 15,000 albums, most of which he kept in a small warehouse.  I grew up listening to all genres, a real mature mix of music.  I have a rather extensive and eclectic album collection myself, about 500 or so, most that I inherited from my father.  I don’t play an instrument, but my entire collection is pretty special, jazz greats, blues greats.”

And now that he’s been in Memphis for almost 40 years, how does he feel about the city he’s chosen?  “In some ways, the same things that made me come here in 1984 as a college student are the things that excite me today” he said.  “It really is the depth and richness of our culture here.  It’s the combination of our city’s history, the trials and tribulations of that, how all of that feeds into our best days, how we move, the rhythm of the city, how we interact.  How who we are comes through in the arts and cultural aspects of our city.  On our best days, how we show up with the fighting spirit shows up in a powerful way.

“I like the us against the world disposition.  While I don’t love it all the time, all those things that work against us, there’s a dimension that’s good for us,” he said.  “It’s a huge part of what makes us who we are.  Who we are is who we are.  To get over ourselves is good for us to reach our potential.  For us to not be some other city.  Find our voice in who we are.  No one can out-Memphis us.  In my thinking about this city I have landed on a new phrase: ‘Wouldn’t the world be a whole lot less interesting if Memphis wasn’t in it?’  All the dimensions.  We do not fully understand that all parts of this community are an essential dimension to this world in ways that would be a whole lot less interesting.

“We take so many things for granted,” Russ said.  “When things happen, you can’t manufacture it.  You can’t make it be.  It just is.  We can out-Memphis anybody.  Let’s just be Memphis.  Not only is that good enough – It’s better.”

 

Jimmy Reed was one of the youngest ever life members of the Association of Realtors Million Dollar Club for year-over-year sales production.  And that was after he survived the 16 percent mortgage rate environment of 1980 and 1981.

Times were certainly different back then.  One way he garnered business was to visit the Chamber of Commerce office when it was on Front Street to review letters the Chamber had received, looking for people from all across the country who had inquired about a potential move to Memphis.  “Thank you, our Chamber, then, and thank you now, for all you do!” he said.

Today, perhaps not surprisingly, Jimmy is president, principal broker and majority shareholder of Marx-Bensdorf, Realtors.

Jimmy is a native Memphian whose dad was from New York and whose mom was from McCrory, Ark.  After World War II the couple moved to Memphis to be closer to Jimmy’s grandparents in Arkansas.

He is a graduate of East High School, class of ’74.  In January 1973, the Memphis public school system implemented a court-ordered busing plan to desegregate schools.  He stayed in the public school system in spite of the busing plan.  “My parents did not shy away from the idea, nor did I or my four siblings,” he said.

He studied English and journalism at then-Memphis State until his interest in the securities business led to an opportunity at UMIC Inc., a leading fixed-income investment firm.  He was 22 at the time.  “It was a ‘baptism by fire’ selling bonds to banks and savings and loans in my difficult assigned sales territory of Iowa, so I discovered,” he said.  “Coupled with the skyrocketing interest rate environment in which bonds sold would soon thereafter lose value, I was destined to fail. Although unsuccessful, I was the last man standing from a recruitment class of 10.

“The tough economic scene set in, so naturally – laughingly here – I became a Realtor, joining the Crump Companies real estate department in early 1980.  I was proud to have associated with the

notable Memphis firm. After that, Marx-Bensdorf became my professional home.”

After years of top sales production, in 1999 Jimmy joined Marx-Bensdorf owners David Okeon and Mike Earp as a partner and co-owner of the company.  Jimmy was intent on preserving the unique culture and the firm’s devotion to client-centric service.

Marx-Bensdorf is the oldest real estate company in Memphis and the city’s 11^th oldest active corporation.  “We call ourselves part of the history and fabric of our city,” said Jimmy.  “We were recently recognized by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for our 100+ history.”  Marx-Bensdorf has an average agent tenure of 22 years, and 18 agents have held offices in the Memphis Board of Realtors and on state and national real estate committees.   The company represents many of Memphis’ leading institutions including St. Jude, AutoZone,

FedEx and Methodist Le Bonheur.

As he was gaining success early in his professional career, Jimmy partnered with two close friends to create the specialty German car service company Memphis MoterWerks.  “I became president because I had the funds available to invest, although I knew nothing about car repair.  The foundation of that business was our shared love of European cars and international sports car racing.  The expertise of my partners and the service team gave us success and even allowed us to have some fun creating a Porsche racing division for preferred customers.  A highlight was when we were able to develop a car for the famous Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona for a driving team made up of our customers.  I retired from my ownership role years later, and the company prospers with friends as owners to this day.”

Jimmy has a deep interest in endurance athletics: triathlons and bicycle racing.  “In 1983 a friend and I put on the first Memphis in May Triathlon, in Shelby Forest,” he said.  “We handed off the duties after a few years, and it grew to become a qualifying race for the international Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.  All the top pros came to race in Memphis hoping to qualify, and the field grew to 1,700 racers.”

In the early 1990s, Jimmy switched his athletic focus to biking.  “In 1998 a racing friend and I started the Marx-Bensdorf/Memphis MotorWerks Cycling Team, an elite amateur squad that saw great success at races across the Southeast.  Now dubbed Marx-Bensdorf/BPC Racing, the team had its 25^th anniversary in 2020 and remains the banner bike racing team in Memphis and one of the oldest teams in the southeastern U.S.

“Contributing to the fellowship among so many folks with a common appreciation for difficult athletic endeavor has been especially rewarding,” he said.  “Although my racing days are over, I still enjoy riding with our great athletes.”

Memphis is vital to Marx-Bensdorf.  “We are unabashed advocates for Memphis and impart this daily as we engage with our clients,” Jimmy said.  “We fully appreciate our unique and wonderful character and challenge others to, as Bill Dunavant says, ‘own our narrative’ of positive Memphis facts. A current mission for us is to leverage and broadcast the terrific work of our Chamber and Chairman’s Circle and all the great initiatives that help propel Memphis forward.”

The team at Marx-Bensdorf serves a variety of causes, including St. Jude and Brewster Elementary School. “Our team has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Brewster over 14 years so the school can provide students with school uniforms that enhance the all-important feeling of inclusion,” said Jimmy.  “Our community support is encapsulated in a social media theme we adopted some years ago which states ‘Memphis makes us happy, Memphis is our home.’  I am proud to have participated in these varied things and remain excited about what’s to come.”

Daphne Large took a leap of faith when she started Data Facts. At only 27, she was more than 10 years into a promising career at Equifax (Yes, she started there when she was just 16). She had risen to the level of assistant regional manager of the Memphis office as she attended the University of Memphis, but when she saw an untapped competitive advantage, she jumped on the opportunity. “In 1989 I left a stable, thriving career at Equifax Services and embarked on an amazing entrepreneurial journey with three other Equifax associates and a silent partner,” she said. “It’s been an amazing journey, and I’ve never looked back.”

Data Facts initially focused on providing consumer information to mortgage lenders to help them close mortgage loans. In 1991 Data Facts expanded to offer national and international background screenings. Today Daphne is founding CEO of the company that for 36 years has been trusted to provide millions of consumer reports, specializing in national and international background screening. The company has a diverse client base, with customers from coast to coast in health care, government, logistics, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, staffing and other industries.

“While we enjoy serving clients around the globe, we are devoted to Memphis. It is our home,” she said. “As a native Memphian, I have found many reasons to remain here. Indeed, it is an exciting time in Memphis. Our grit and grind are unsurpassed. Memphis is on the world stage and this is our time. What excites me most is the investment and presence of xAI.”

Daphne and her husband Alan have two children, both in Memphis. Trevor is IT director for Mid-South Transport and Heather works in HR for First Horizon, specializing in performance management. “While it wasn’t planned, we are proud they both also work for great companies headquartered in Memphis,” she said.

Daphne’s favorite hobby is reading about leadership and business management. “There is always something new to learn,” she said. “I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, our dogs Toby and Riley and our grand dogs Mac and Moose. All our dogs are rescues, and we’re devoted to loving dogs.”

Travel is important to Daphne and her family. “We enjoy spending time at our home on Clearwater Beach, outside Tampa. That is our happy place. We have made countless priceless memories with family and friends over the years. ‘By the beach, by the sea, there is nowhere else I’d rather be,’ as they say! But our ultimate pleasure is international travel. We have been fortunate to travel to many beautiful and historical places, but there is so much more to experience. I love Paris, London, Venice, Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, all of Italy, so many places in Europe and everywhere in the Caribbean, although I tend to gravitate toward the Mediterranean and coastal destinations. My next

trip will be to Capri and back to explore more of the Amalfi Coast. There is no more exciting education to be gained than through travel to other countries and cultures.”

Daphne doesn’t only experience adventure through travel. “My favorite movie genre is action/adventure,” she said. “I am particularly fond of all the James Bond and Mission Impossible films, the Jason Bourne franchise and the like. Although my favorite movie of all time is not that. It is the 1981 Dudley Moore, John Gielgud and Liza Minelli romantic comedy film Arthur. Dudley Moore’s performance was priceless. The movie is absolutely hilarious, and no one on this earth could have played that part like him. I say the same for the character Hobson, played by Gielgud. Just priceless.”

When asked about her commitment to the Chairman’s Circle, she said her initial involvement came because of a friendship but has evolved to be much more. “We joined the Chairman’s Circle because my friend Phil Trenary asked me to and sold me his vision and reason for the Chairman’s Circle,” said Daphne, who has served as chair of the Chairman’s Circle and continues to serve on the board of the Greater Memphis Chamber. “I remain committed to the mission of the Chamber and the Chairman’s Circle. We have enjoyed tremendous success at the Chamber, and the future is very bold and bright for the Chamber and Memphis. Our dedicated Chamber team and their results are unsurpassed.”

Asked about her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Daphne said, “I would advise anyone considering a career as an entrepreneur that while you certainly need to be well prepared, don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Take action and know it will be much harder than you think it will. You will work longer, harder, and face challenges you aren’t prepared for. Stay focused on delivering what you have promised your customers, build a talented team, understand you don’t know everything and need advisors and never give up. Do that, and the money will come. You will be successful. Stay tough and stay the course. BELIEVE that you can. EXPECT that you will. It’s always worked for me.”

Her leadership at Data Facts has been challenging and rewarding. “It takes a lot of planning, time management and intentionality around thinking, planning, acting and learning,” she said. “Sometimes I spend more time focused on Data Facts and sometimes I am in Europe or at the beach with my family for weeks at a time. I try to have balance and I definitely want it all. No one ever died wishing they had spent more time at the office. What keeps me going is my determination, tenacity and dedication to our clients, our team and my family.”

Since the early days, there have been enormous industry changes and technological advances that have impacted her company. Staying competitive demands Data Facts make heavy investments in technology, talent and training. “Even though the landscape is vastly different now, Data Facts’ overall concept remains steadfast: If we take care of

our people, they will take care of our customers, who will then take care of the company. We do and it works. Moreover, in a world of advanced technologies, it’s still people serving people. Doing business with people matters most. People will always be at the forefront of everything we do at Data Facts – serving our clients, serving our team, engaging with our vendors and other business partners.”

Daphne and the Data Facts team take particular pride in the company’s ranking on the HR Baker’s Dozen list of Top Background Screeners at the Enterprise level a remarkable seven times, an honor earned solely by customer feedback based on the size of customers the company serves, the vast number of reports the company processes and customer service levels. Data Facts has also been recognized as a top woman-owned business and a top workplace multiple times.

Daphne is a member of the esteemed C200 Women’s Executive Leadership and Entrepreneurial organization. She was inducted into the Society of Entrepreneurs in 2014 and is a frequent contributor to entrepreneurial and leadership programming. She was named CEO of the Year and a Super Woman in Business by the Memphis Business Journal.

Daphne is passionate about giving back and believes to whom much has been given, must is expected. She is an ardent Winston Churchill admirer and follows his advice that “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Daphne serves on the boards of the Greater Memphis Chamber, the University of Memphis Foundation and New Memphis, having also served as chair. She has also served as a director of the Society of Entrepreneurs, the National Consumer Reporting Association as both president and treasurer, the University of Memphis LEAD, Make-a-Wish Mid-South and vice chair at St. George’s Independent School board of trustees.