Memphis Mayor to speak at WM Chamber Banquet

Memphis Mayor to speak at WM Chamber Banquet

Strickland will deliver keynote address at 69th annual affair

ralphhardin@gmail.com The Honorable Jim Strickland, mayor of West Memphis’ neighbor to the east, the City of Memphis, will be the keynote speaker for the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce's 69th annual banquet, Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Southland Park Gaming and Racing Starting Gate Event Center.

After being first elected to the Memphis City Council in October 2007, Strickland was re-elected in October 2011. In 2013, he was elected to serve as Vice- Chairman and was the Chairman of the Council for 2014. In early 2015, Strickland announced his plan to run for mayor.

Throughout his campaign, Strickland focused on crime and poverty throughout Memphis. He was elected mayor on Oct. 8, 2015, with 41.55 percent of the vote, in what many political analysts considered a surprise. He was sworn in on Jan. 1 of this year.

Strickland was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, before moving to Memphis.. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1982 and received a bachelor's degree and J.D. from the University of Memphis in 1989.

Before entering into public service, Strickland’s professional experience included working in the private law practices of Kustoff & Strickland, PLLC and Glankler Brown, PLLC, clerking for Justice William H. D. Fones of the Tennessee Supreme Court, and working as an adjunct law professor at the University of Memphis.

With over 650,000 residents living in Memphis, Strickland is mayor of one of the 20 largest cities in the U.S.

The banquet begins at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling the West Memphis Chamber office at 735-1134.

Banquet tables of eight are available, as well as individual tickets. The Banquet will also include the announcement of the annual Chamber Awards winners, including Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year, as well as Citizen of the Year and Chamber Diplomat of the Year.

For more information, contact Chamber Director Holmes Hammett at 7351134, or via e-mail at wmcoc@wmcoc.com.

By Ralph Hardin