October 16, 2018

Dear Friend,

Every day, hardworking Mississippians demonstrate a strong commitment to their employers through the products they manufacture. Companies come to our state for our workforce which helps them achieve their production goals. Combine this valuable asset with a fast moving economy and you have a recipe for growth. As one expansion after another is announced, more people are needed to fill new positions. Recently, our state and nation recognized National Manufacturing Day to bring awareness to the changing world of manufacturing. In the First District and across the nation, companies are offering good-paying jobs that require skills which can be easily obtained at your local community college.

On Manufacturing Day, a number of Mississippi companies opened their doors to give students a closer look at their operations. ABB in Columbus invited East Mississippi Community College students for a tour of the facility and an opportunity to talk with their team members. They were shown how ABB assembles electric motors from start to finish. Dr. Jim Huerkamp, EMCC Workforce Director, said the tour is one of many that EMCC organizes to give students insight into career opportunities in manufacturing that are available in the district. "EMCC has been working for years to change the perception that many people have about a career in manufacturing," Dr. Huerkamp said. "We have had a great response from the student participants."

Ken Lawrence, ABB Human Resources Business Partner, said Manufacturing Day presents a great opportunity to get students interested in modern manufacturing. "It is a different world now than it was even ten years ago," Ken said.

imagine the possibilities career expo

When you were in the eighth grade, were you aware of the career opportunities that were available in your own backyard? There are numerous career pathways in Mississippi. It is just a matter of choosing a career path and obtaining the training and education that employers require. The Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo gives students an opportunity to talk with people about their professions in a highly-charged atmosphere, filled with demonstrations and real-world information.

The expo, held at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, featured 18 career pathways including aerospace, agriculture, engineering, health science, information technology, manufacturing, transportation, hospitality, and tourism. In all, 7,000 eight graders from 17 northeast Mississippi counties attended.

national women's small business month

October is National Women's Small Business Month. This is an opportunity to recognize the 11.3 million women-owned businesses across America. In Mississippi, women business owners have and continue to be valuable contributors to the economy. Unprecedented tax cuts and regulatory reform will serve to encourage more Mississippians like Angele Mueller to become entrepreneurs.

Angele, Meredith, Pete, and Caroline Mueller

Angele has always enjoyed cooking for family, friends, and her church. In 2002, Angele decided to take her talent in the kitchen to the next level. She opened the Tallahatchie Gourmet restaurant in downtown New Albany. Last year, Angele decided to open a second Tallahatchie Gourmet in Oxford. She provides jobs to 50 First District residents. I look forward to seeing her business continue to thrive. Through my role on the House Small Business Committee, I will continue to push for more policies that will reduce regulations and make it easier to do business in Mississippi and across the nation.

academy day 2018

There was a great turnout for Academy Day 2018. Middle and high school students came to Oxford on Saturday to learn more about serving our nation as an officer in the U.S. Military.

Every year, it is an honor and a privilege to nominate young people from the First District who want to attend one of America's prestigious military academies. For many of them, their journey began by attending Academy Day where they met with Service Academy and ROTC representatives. The stories they share with those in attendance are inspiring and provide a great deal of insight into each branch of the U.S. Military.

Academy Day 2018 participants Erryonna
Cooper, Eric Cooper, Suzanne Tucker,
Eli Tucker, Dr. Pat Tucker,
Cadet Joel Baldwin, MAJ Adam Harris,
David Barber, Cadet Benton Barber,
and Rebecca Barber

Below are current Service Academy students who have ties to Mississippi. We asked them to share their stories with us.

cadet William ikerd

Cadet William Ikerd, a 2015 Tupelo High School graduate, is a senior at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Cadet Ikerd said he always envisioned himself serving our nation. He also loves to play baseball and was a standout player in high school. Fortunately, military academies are known to have good baseball programs. "I went up there and was fortunate enough to play for the Army Baseball Family," Cadet Ikerd said. "I played for the first half of my time at the Academy and now I focus on Civil Engineering. I need every minute of my time for that, trust me! I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to go to West Point and represent Mississippi's First Congressional District."

Cadet Ikerd with his parents,
Beth and Will Ikerd, Jr.

Cadet Ikerd enjoys sharing his story with others. "The friendships you form here will last a lifetime," Cadet Ikerd said. "The new brothers and sisters that you will get here are selfless, full of integrity, and are more driven to succeed than you can imagine. It is going to take commitment. Every day is a competition, but Mississippians are known to compete with the best of them!"

cadet Jessica frederick

Cadet 2nd Class Jessica Frederick is a junior at the United State Air Force Academy. She reported to USAFA on June 30, 2016. Cadet Frederick said being at the Air Force Academy is not easy, but the experiences, memories, and friendships she has made during her cadet career have been incomparable with any other experiences that she would have had at a civilian university. "Although Basic Cadet Training (BCT) was difficult, the challenges I faced during that time has made me a stronger person and taught me just how important being a team player is," Cadet Frederick said. "The classes are rigorous, but the professors are fantastic and truly want to see you succeed."

During her cadet career, Cadet Frederick participated in the Jump Program at USAFA. This prestigious program involves learning how to jump out of an airplane in just two weeks, and is the only program in the world where the first jump is made completely solo. She has also traveled to Misawa Air Force Base, Japan, to experience the operational side of the Air Force. Cadet Frederick is currently pursuing a Behavioral Science degree at USAFA, and plans to pursue a career in the Air Force as an intelligence officer. She has advice for others who want to attend a Service Academy. "If attending the Air Force Academy is your goal, then do everything possible to try to accomplish this dream," Cadet Frederick said. "As long as you rely on the team members surrounding you, you can accomplish anything. Aim high!"

midshipman Steadman harrison

Midshipman Steadman Harrison, a 2018 Tupelo Christian Preparatory School graduate, is a freshman at the United States Naval Academy. This new environment is both challenging and rewarding for MIDN Harrison.

"My time at USNA has been exhilarating," MIDN Harrison said. "It is truly unlike any other college out there. I am pressed to do my best and develop myself daily. Being at the Academy is exactly as challenging as I expected. The bar is always a step or two out of reach and I am always one or two hours of sleep behind. But all the other midshipmen here have your back and are striving towards the mission of moral, mental, and physical development right there beside you."

cadet Benton barber

Cadet Benton Barber, a 2015 Tupelo High School graduate, is a senior at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Cadet Barber said the lessons he has learned during his time at the Academy have been invaluable and unique.

"I have been granted opportunities that I could only have dreamed of had I attended another institution," Cadet Barber said. "As a leader and a future officer, I am humbled by my commission to lead soldiers as an officer and excited for the challenges that I am prepared to face. I highly encourage all high school students interested in military service to apply to the United States Military Academy."

Upon graduation, Cadet Barber plans to complete the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After completion of the BOLC, he hopes to be stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101 Airborne Division and serve as a Field Artillery Officer.

a week in pictures

Mississippi Manufactured Housing
Association members in Verona

Rudy Dossett, Jr., David Leatherwood,
and Rudy Dossett, III in Tupelo

Taking questions at the Home Builders
Association of Mississippi meeting in Tupelo

Thankful to receive the National Association of
Home Builders Defender of Housing Award
from Home Builders Association of Mississippi
President Kenneth Estes

Columbus Rotary with Corky Smith

Express Mission International representatives
A.C. Curtis and Steve Hutton

Kent Geno with Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc.

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

STAY IN TOUCH

Let me know if there is anything my office can do to assist you. You can keep up with the latest news by signing up for my newsletter and following me on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress