Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

COAST NOTE
Small Business & Community Leadership Awards
Business and community leaders were recognized by William Carey University and the Gulf Coast Business Council with the Business & Leadership Awards Luncheon. The awards were created in 2019 to recognize outstanding business leadership while supporting student success through scholarship funding.
The program has grown from a single business leadership award and one scholarship recipient to this year’s six winners. “It has continued to grow in both impact and scope with the 2026 luncheon expanded significantly with
the addition of the Joseph C. Canizaro Leadership Award, recognizing exemplary corporate leadership, while the existing community leadership recognition evolved to honor both a
small business leader and a nonprofit leader,” said Gulf Coast Business Council President and CEO Jamie Miller.
Nominees must demonstrate respected character within the community, align with the values of William Carey University, and represent an organization with 100 employees or fewer, he explained. They do not have to be members of the Business Council.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Richard Bowman, Wiggins – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Bowman serves as a Commercial Capabilities Manager with Coca-Cola UNITED where he focuses on developing people, strengthening teams, and fostering continuous improvement.
Lauren Hall, Pass Christian –
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Hall is a Program Manager in Energy Efficiency with Mississippi Power where she is dedicated to serving customers and helping make a positive impact throughout the communities she serves.
Amanda Stubbs, Gautier – Master of Business Administration
Stubbs serves as a Career Coach at Gautier High School through the P3 (Passion, Purpose, Paycheck) program.
“These awards were established to recognize leaders whose influence extends beyond their organizations and into the communities they serve,” Miller said. “Great leaders create jobs, strengthen local economies, support important causes, and inspire others through their example. We believe it’s important to celebrate those contributions while
also investing in the future through scholarships that help develop the next generation of Gulf Coast leaders.”
Dr. Ladd Taylor, vice president for Tradition Campus, said, “At its core,
this event is about recognizing people who make a positive difference. Whether they’re leading a corporation, growing
a family business, serving a nonprofit, or mentoring future leaders, these individuals are helping shape a stronger Gulf Coast. We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the example they set for others.”
Sean and Crystal Westmoreland,
Dixie Glass
Cindy DeFrances,
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
Joseph C. Canizaro Leadership Award
Alan Sudduth,
Corporate Affairs Manager, Chevron
16 | August 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Honoring Local Leaders
Honoring Local Leaders
Gulf Coast Business Council Business & Leadership Awards
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Derek Fountain