Mandy White, the Greater Jackson Chamber's chief economic development officer, has won a statewide award for her work bringing investment and jobs to West Tennessee.
The award
White received the Fred H. Harris Professional of the Year Award from the Tennessee Economic Development Council on Oct. 29 at the council's fall conference in Nashville. She was nominated by her peers and chosen by a committee of fellow economic development professionals. The award, established in 1996, honors outstanding professional achievement and statewide contributions to economic development, and is named for Fred H. Harris, a former deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and past economic development leader for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
A 27-year record
Over 27 years with the chamber, WBBJ-TV reported, White has helped secure more than $1.4 billion in capital investment and thousands of jobs for Jackson and Madison County. One of her best-known achievements was guiding site selection for Georgia-Pacific's $425 million Dixie plant. Announced in 2022 as the largest single capital investment in Jackson's history, the plant opened in October 2024.
She has also built relationships with Japanese industry leaders and officials, working with Japanese-owned companies in Jackson-Madison County, joining international trade missions and holding leadership roles in the Japan America Society of Tennessee. Japan is the state's largest source of foreign direct investment.
What the chamber said
"For 27 years, Mandy White has helped shape the economic future of Jackson, Madison County, and West Tennessee," said Kyle Spurgeon, the chamber's president and CEO. He said what makes the recognition meaningful is that it comes from the professionals who know her work best. In her role, White oversees business recruitment, expansions of existing industries and strategic investments.
Sources: WBBJ-TV