Awards | Newspaper | Magazine



Lawrence Warren recognized by the SEDC as Mississippi’s Volunteer of the Year

Lawrence Warren, president and CEO of Warren Paving, Inc., has been selected as Mississippi’s Volunteer of the Year by the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC). The council recognizes dedicated men and women across the Southeastern United States who work hard for their communities as volunteers, especially in the area of economic development. According to the SEDC, many hours of time are freely given by these volunteers to assist in the creation of new jobs, the enhancement of the quality of life and over-all betterment of their communities. They lend their ideas, experience and even financial assistance to local economic development efforts.

Warren, with his unique leadership style, has been instrumental in helping the greater Hattiesburg area face the challenges of growth. Warren co-chaired the "Partnership for Tomorrow Capital Campaign," a successful fund-raising effort by the Area Development Partnership (ADP) which brought in more than 1.7 million to aid in economic development. Warren serves on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army and The Pearl River Valley Electric Association, as well as the Advisory Board for Trustmark National Bank. He also currently serves as chairmen of the ADP. One of his greatest accomplishments has been his facilitation of the merger of the ADP and the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, which provides the opportunity for regional cooperation. In addition, recognizing the benefits of a "united voice" for the South Mississippi Region, Warren and 35 other key business people founded the South Mississippi Alliance. One of their first accomplishments was the acquisition and improvement of the Kansas City Southern Railroad. This project is expected to cut the transfer time from the Gulfcoast to Jackson by up to 25 hours while providing improved rail service to industries in the Hattiesburg Metropolitan Area.

"The past two years the ADP has benefited from the leadership of Lawrence Warren. Not only has the organization prospered, but I have also benefited from watching first hand the leadership abilities and unselfish giving of this man. Lawrence has spent untold hours working for the betterment of our greater community. Regionalism has been his main objective, just has it has been for the ADP since 1991," said Gray Swoope, ADP President.

The Southern Economic Development Council is a 1,200 member non-profit organization composed of a broad cross-section of active and influential industrial and economic developers from business and industry, utilities, transportation, financial and education institutions, chambers of commerce, and local, regional and state development agencies. The Council is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America.

Back to newspaper home

Direction | Journey | Driving Force | Divisions | Locations | Sights | Milestones