J. Brent Ward began his real estate career in 1997. He joined his parents who had been in real estate for about 5-6 years. “Being a single dad, I was only able to swing part time so I could only assist them for two years when I retired my license,” said Ward.

“While my license was in retirement, my parents, along with a few other partners, started RE/MAX Realty Source in Jackson. After a year or so in retirement, I reactivated my license, rejoined my parents fulltime, and we became the “aWARD Winning Team.”

Scott Stewart was born in Nebraska, but he tells everyone he’s from Storm Lake, Iowa because that’s where he spent most of his youth. His parents owned a feed, seed and fertilizer business. He was not a “farm boy,” but he was surrounded by agriculture and participated in 4-H, raised hogs, delivered feed, baled hay, walked beans, and de-tasseled corn as a teenager.

Dr. Marlon King, a transformational leader in the state of Tennessee, became Superintendent of the Jackson-Madison County School System in July 2020. Born and raised in rural West Tennessee where he attended public schools, Dr. King has given back over two decades of uninterrupted service and commitment to improving public schools. His career trajectory is unique amongst educators in Tennessee because of his wide range of experience that encompass being a teacher (Shelby County Schools—legacy), principal (Fayette County Schools), Superintendent (Haywood, Fayette, and Jackson-Madison Counties), and an Executive Director (Tennessee Department of Education), all in Tennessee. Dr. King has a proven record in improving many of Tennessee’s toughest schools and districts. He has built a reputation of turning schools around by promoting strong literacy programs with fidelity, recruiting and training school leaders, setting and expecting high standards for all, garnering community support and deep engagement, and managing fiscal service through a business-leader lens.

Jenna Hamilton King has been the proud owner of My Best Friend Jenna (MBFJ) since February 2010. Her focus at MBFJ is to make your shopping experience truly feel like you are shopping with your B-F-F! MBFJ has evolved throughout the years and specializes in formalwear for all occasions. Her dresses and tuxedos have gone to proms, weddings, homecoming, pageants, military balls, fundraising events, and many other events. Jenna works alongside her sister, Lauren; Mom, Clarenita; and employees who have truly become best friends. Together, they have created a charming and relaxed atmosphere where they are enthusiastic, respectful, encouraging and stand by you during dress fittings and your ultimate formalwear purchase.

Lisa Tillman has been the Executive Director of Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) since January 2009. RIFA is a faith-based nonprofit organization with a mission to reach out with the love of Christ to help people in need by providing physical and spiritual nourishment. Working at RIFA has allowed Lisa to use her spiritual gifts of leadership and administration to execute RIFA’s vision to lead and engage our community in the fight against hunger. In 2019 alone, RIFA distributed over 500,000 meals through the Soup Kitchen, food bank, food pantry, food co-op, snack backpack program and senior staples ministry.

Matthew Marshall serves as President and CEO of United Way of West Tennessee. He was formerly Executive Director and Head of School at Hands Up! Preschool, a non-profit Early Childhood Education program in Jackson, TN. Before that, he spent eight years in higher education at his alma mater, Union University, where he did undergraduate work in Christian Ethics and then earned a Masters in Education.

Dr. Dennis Renshaw lived in Alamo, but he grew up in Iran, India, and Indonesia as his father was with the United States State Department.