By Rita Howell
Members and friends of Panola Partnership will gather Thursday night for the organization’s 20th annual meeting and dinner, to be held at 211 Main Hall and Gardens in Como, with social hour at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30.
Jay Moon, president and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, will be the keynote speaker.
The MMA represents more than 2,200 manufacturers and associated members. As president of the MMA, Moon has helped develop and win passage of several significant legislative programs. He worked with Gov. Haley Barbour, the Mississippi legislature and other business leaders to enact landmark civil justice reform and helped to develop and pass Momentum Mississippi, one of the most comprehensive improvements to Mississippi’s  business incentive offerings. Other significant legislative incentive packages supporting Mississippi companies, such as Viking, Baxter, Northrop Grumman and Howard Industries, were also made possible through his leadership.
The evening will also include announcements of the Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, James Hal Moore Excellence in Education Award, and the Citizenship Award.
In addition, Panola’s new Miss Hospitality, Taylor Sheley, will be introduced.
Tickets are $30. Call 563-3126 for information.