John F. Fletcher
John Fletcher, J.D., LL.M., is a Partner with Jones Walker, LLP, in the Tax & Estates Practice Group and practices from the Jackson, Mississippi office. With more than twenty years' experience in the legal, corporate, and accounting arenas, his practice focuses primarily on state tax matters, encompassing Mississippi, Louisiana and multi-state income, franchise, sales, use and local ad valorem taxes. Mr. Fletcher earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Delta State University, where he currently serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and his Juris Doctor at The University of Mississippi School of Law. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in Tennessee, is active with the Mississippi Economic Council and Mississippi Manufacturer's Association. He is also a member of the American Bar Association's State and Local Tax Subcommittee, the Institute for Professionals in Taxation ("IPT"), and the Council on State Taxation ("COST").
Courtney Taylor
Dr. Courtney Taylor serves as the Executive Director of AccelerateMS, spearheading efforts to enhance Mississippi's workforce development landscape. In her role, she collaborates closely with community colleges, universities, employers, economic developers, and other stakeholders to bolster the state's workforce initiatives. Prior to assuming her current position, Dr. Taylor served as the Deputy Director of Strategy and Programs at AccelerateMS, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's strategic direction and overseeing key programs aimed at driving economic growth and workforce development.
Before her tenure at AccelerateMS, Dr. Taylor served as the Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development at East Mississippi Community College in Columbus, Mississippi. During her tenure, she led transformative workforce development activities, notably overseeing The Communiversity, a cutting-edge 145,000 square foot advanced manufacturing training facility dedicated to empowering the local workforce.
Prior to her role at EMCC, Dr. Taylor distinguished herself as a Regional Director for Workforce and Economic Development for the Alabama Community College System. Her career trajectory includes pivotal roles in both academia and the private sector, reflecting her deep commitment to workforce advancement.
A seasoned academic, Dr. Taylor earned her Ph.D. in Human Capital Development from The University of Southern Mississippi. She also holds a Master's degree in Human Resources Management from Troy University and a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of West Alabama. Her professional expertise is further underlined by her certification as a Professional Community and Economic Developer.
Dr. Taylor's dedication extends beyond her professional endeavors; she has contributed to the field as a board member of the Community Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, and the Mississippi Economic Development Council. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering economic growth make her an invaluable asset to AccelerateMS and the broader community.
