MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Blount, Frazier, Norwood, Witherspoon, Horhn, Butler, Jordan, Turner-Ford, Dawkins, Dearing
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CATHY L. NORTHINGTON AS THE NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL REPRESENTING THE STATEWIDE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, Cathy L. Northington has been named Chief Operating Officer of the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), the State Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer; and
WHEREAS, Northington began at MEC more than a decade ago as a part-time employee and has continued to work her way up, managing a variety of key projects and programs. Since 2007, she has directed Leadership Mississippi, the nation's second-oldest leadership program. She has also managed MEC's three major meetings: the MEC Annual Meeting, Hobnob Mississippi and MEC Capital Day, each with an attendance of over 1,500 business and community leaders and elected officials; and
WHEREAS, "Cathy is an invaluable asset to our team and has excelled in helping ensure MEC serves as the voice of business in Mississippi," said Scott Waller, President and CEO of MEC. "Cathy is a true success story. I look forward to seeing what she will accomplish in her new leadership role and the positive impact it will have on our organization and the State of Mississippi"; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson native studied marketing at Mississippi College and enjoys giving back to the community through her volunteer work as a member of the Junior League of Jackson and American Heart Association's Circle of Red. A mother of three, Northington is also a member of the Madison Ridgeland Rotary Club and a board member of Rural Education and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) Christian Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Northington has been chosen as the Our Mississippi Magazine "2018 Business Woman of the Year." She was named the "2017 Young, Gifted and Empowered Leader of the Year," was a 2012 recipient of the Mississippi Business Journal "Top 40 Under 40" Award, and was a member of the Mississippi Business Journal "50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi" for 2014; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Economic Council has been the voice of Mississippi business since 1949, dealing with broad issues that relate to businesses through Advocacy, Research, Resources and Leadership. An independent, statewide organization, MEC consists of more than 11,000 business and professional leaders from 1,100 member firms throughout Mississippi. Focused on the future, the MEC offers Leadership Mississippi, which is one of the most prestigious leadership training programs available; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this positive addition to the statewide business community:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize Cathy L. Northington as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Mississippi Economic Council representing the statewide business community, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature on this appointment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Cathy Northington, forwarded to the Mississippi Economic Council Board of Directors, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.