Royce Cumbest receives Jolly P. McCarty Award

By LEIGH COLEMAN - Sun Herald

E-Mail

Print Reprint or license

Text Size:

tool goes here

PACAGOULA — The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce held its 66th Annual Membership Meeting on Friday at the LaFont Inn Hotel and Conference Center with Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant as keynote speaker.

Community and business leaders gathered for the luncheon to pay special tribute to leaving board members and 2009 award recipients.

Merchants and Marine Bank President and CEO Royce Cumbest received the annual Jolly P. McCarty Award of Excellence in Leadership.

Royce Cumbest was honored by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

“This award is very special to me because of my years of respect for Jolly McCarty,” said Cumbest. “Jolly did so much for this community and his family.

“His principles and high values continue to produce such an impact everywhere.”

At the meeting outgoing chamber board chairman, Lynn Truelove, passed the gavel to incoming board chairman, Morris Strickland.

Strickland said for the year ahead he wants to keep the momentum going.

Receiving the Ambassador of the Year Award was Aly Munn, of USA Insurance Company.

Munn said she got involved with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce when she worked at the LaFont Inn.

“I started helping with the ribbon cuttings and my passion grew from there,” said Munn.

“The key to keeping our county afloat and successful is small business. That is what the chamber is so good at, connecting and supporting businesses.”

Bryant announced that Mississippi had a budget of $6 billion last year and cuts were on the horizon to the tune of some $371 million.

“We are in for tough times,” said Bryant.