Mark Allen serves as vice chairman of the Youth Villages board of directors. He retired as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary and was responsible for directing the international and domestic legal, security and government affairs for the FedEx Corporation and its subsidiaries in September of 2024.
Jes Averhart is CEO of Jes & Co. and creator of Reinvention Roadmap. Averhart is a fourth-generation entrepreneur focused on leadership development and women’s empowerment.
Mike Bruns serves as chairman of the Youth Villages board of directors. He previously served in the role from 1997-2001 and 2005-2013, a period of great growth and expansion for the organization.
Fred Burns, a Mississippi native, is a seasoned professional and entrepreneur with a prosperous career in the technology sector. Since graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Jackson State University in 2014, Fred has cultivated a diverse and impactful software development and leadership career.
Jennifer “Jenny” Bush currently serves as President-Gulf Region, Cummins Sales and Service. She joined Cummins in 1997 and served as General Manager for the Commercial Marine Business
Amy Crate has been building and marketing brands for three decades. She began her career in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi, BBDO, and DDB Worldwide.
Jamere Jackson is the Chief Financial Officer AutoZone, a multi-billion dollar retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Jamere joined AutoZone on September 14, 2020 and became the first African-American CFO in the company’s 41 year history.
Gerald Laurain serves as Treasurer of the Youth Villages board of directors and Chairman of their Investment Committee.
Johnny and his partner, Mat Lipscomb, III, are the majority owners of the largest, locally owned insurance agency in the Mid-South, Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance, LLC.
Elizabeth is a co-founder and partner of Caiola & Rose LLC. She serves as national counsel for franchisors, commercial landlords and digital service providers…