The Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Mississippi, a governmental defined benefit pension plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, is the retirement system for nearly all non-federal public employees in the state. From the Gulf of Mexico to the Tennessee border, from the Alabama line to the Mississippi River, PERS serves employees of the state, public school districts, municipalities, counties, community colleges, state universities and such other public entities as libraries and water districts. Membership in PERS is a benefit accorded to eligible public employees of member agencies, and is financed by contributions made by the employees and their employers and the earnings on these contributions. PERS was established by the Mississippi Legislature in 1952 to provide benefits to retirees, as well as future benefits to current and former public employees. In addition to regular service retirement benefits available to vested members at age 60 and to members with 25 years of service credit at any age, PERS provides disability and survivor protection. Additional programs administered by PERS for the benefit of its members and the state include the Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan (SLRP), the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System (MHSPRS), the Institutions of Higher Learning Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), Fire and Police Disability and Relief Funds and General Municipal Retirement Systems (MUNI) for employees of 17 cities, the Mississippi Government Employees' Deferred Compensation Plan, and the PERS Retiree Insurance Program.

‍Four decades ago, an entrepreneurial mindset inspired MDR’s formation to meet the need of construction, repair, and upgrade of utility infrastructure across the U.S. We create and foster longstanding relationships by providing exceptional, timely, and skilled service to our partners.

Founded in 1996, The First Bank was formed by a group of business leaders who had a vision for creating a bank that would support the communities it served and build sustainable long-term relationships with clients in those communities. Now, that dream has grown to an $8 billion asset, multi-state financial institution with operations spanning Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. As one of the largest certified Community Development Financial Institutions in the nation, The First employs over 1,000 team members in 107 full-service branches throughout the five-state region. Since 2010, the bank has been awarded over $7.2 million in grants for their investments in communities to help support economic growth and job creation. The company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol, FBMS.

UK King's Daughters is a locally owned, not-for-profit organization serving the residents of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Based in Ashland, Ky., we strive to provide world-class care in every community we serve. Our network of Family Care Centers and Medical Specialties offices ensure access to primary care, specialty care, diagnostic testing, treatment and services in comfortable locations close to home and work. Our seven urgent care centers—in Ashland, Cannonsburg, Grayson and Russell, Ky., and Burlington, Ironton and Portsmouth, Ohio—provide convenient care to busy people and families. King's Daughters is nationally recognized for medical excellence in cardiology, heart surgery, stroke care, pulmonary care and treatment of heart failure.

The Jones Company is a management consulting firm that serves SME (Small Medium Enterprises) in all industries. We assist our clientele in strategic management decisions, people development, and maximization on external sales. For several years now, we have developed a concrete foundation to ensure our clients the success they deserve. Offices: Miami | Denver | St. Louis

Founded in 1984 and incorporated in 1988, G.P.’s Enterprises, Inc. has a 30 year history of successful heavy construction projects of all types around the state of Georgia. Launched as a grading contractor, G.P.’s has grown to a multifaceted highway construction enterprise. In addition to its work in the public sector, G.P.’s continues to support private sector clients with site development and preparation services. George P. Flanigan, the owner and founder, continues to run the business. G.P.’s self-performs traffic control, erosion control, clearing, grading, utility, drainage structures, road base, and concrete work on its projects; typically subcontracting bridge, asphalt paving, and signal work when required. G.P.’s is a licensed General Contractor, a Georgia DOT Prime Contractor, and a Licensed Utility Contractor. In 2015, Mr. Flanigan further strengthened his position in the highway construction arena by purchasing the assets of Sunbelt Structures, Inc., and placing them in a newly formed company, Georgia Bridge and Concrete, LLC (GBC). GBC operates as an independent but related company, focused on the construction of bridges and concrete structures for the highway and private markets. G.P.’s and GBC are conveniently located in the greater metro Atlanta area, with offices in Auburn and Tucker, GA, respectively.

Proven FHA experts: With more than 30 years of hands-on experience, we understand every aspect of FHA-insured loan programs and underwriting requirements. Our technical expertise ensures a nimble, efficient process where promises are kept, expectations are managed, decisions are optimized, and even the most complicated deals are done right and on time. We are champions of the benefits and opportunities that FHA programs offer our clients. Yet we realize that this approach does not meet every project’s needs. Through our affiliation with HJ Sims, we are able to deliver a complete range of financing solutions – both taxable and tax-exempt. Our senior executives, together, have over 50 years of experience with FHA programs. We are known and respected by our peers in the industry. We serve on committees of national trade groups that help HUD establish FHA policies. We also have access to senior people at both HUD and FHA. We talk to them about policy one day; then about projects the next. And our clients reap the benefits. FHA-insured financing is a complex activity. We provide borrowers with superior personal service, and take a hands-on approach to every project. We know how to work through the inevitable issues and hiccups and get the best deal for our clients. And because we understand the best deal is one that gets closed quickly, we don’t promise things that can’t be delivered. Contact Anthony Luzzi, President, at [email protected] or (201) 307-9383 x302 Contact Kerrie J. Tomasiewicz, Executive Vice President, [email protected] or (201) 307-9383 x303 Visit: www.simsmortgage.com for more information.

Summit Plastics is an import and export company based out of P.O. BOX 65, New Britain, Connecticut, United States.

First Bank has served the financial needs of southwest Mississippi since 1895. In today’s banking environment, the number of community banks has been greatly reduced. We strongly believe that community banks are vitally important to the economic growth of a community. We continually strive to meet our customer’s expectation and the need of the community, thereby increasing our stockholder value. First Bank serves our local communities with integrity and pride. We support many events and organizations who are actively working to improve the quality of life for our citizens. Southwest Mississippi is our home, and we are local people making local decisions. Choose First Bank and experience the difference a hometown bank can make! Member FDIC

Double G Coatings Company, L.P. is a limited partnership between the US Steel and Cleveland Cliffs companies, located at 1096 Mendell Davis Dr, Jackson, Mississippi, United States.

MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION is an utilities company based out of 3012 HIGHWAY 98E, MCCOMB, Mississippi, United States.

MCCOMB CHILDREN'S CLINIC, LTD is a medical practice company based out of 300 RAWLS DRIVE, SUITE 100, MCCOMB, Mississippi, United States.