Exciting things are happening at The Ned McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center (The Ned). The new Executive Director, John Kimbrough, brings over 47 years of instructing music, directing shows, teaching music theatre, running lights and sound, overseeing and being an entrepreneur in Middle Tennessee. He has spent his entire career working with young people in various capacities, and he will always consider himself young at heart! All of these experiences make Mr. Kimbrough uniquely qualified to step into this role, and he is ecstatic at the opportunity. He is our real-life Music Man!

Dr. Mechelle Taylor Moragne is an established family practice physician with over 18 years of experience in Jackson, Tennessee. She is highly regarded in the community, earning numerous accolades for her stellar patient care. She has been awarded a total of four Silver Stevie Awards from the 2021 American Business Awards Division of the Stevie Awards Program for Minority Owned Business of the Year and Frontline Hero of the Years and 2020 International Women in Business Division of the Stevie Awards Program for Female Entrepreneur of the Year and 2020 Frontline Hero of the Year.

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.