Gain Key Economic Insights from Experts at 2025 Economic Outlook Forum
Thu, 02/06/2025 - 01:34pm | By: Bailey Harris Shoemake
Business leaders, financial professionals and community members are invited to attend the 2025 Economic Outlook Forum, an annual event providing valuable insights into economic trends shaping the year ahead. Hosted by The University of 麻豆传媒色情片 (麻豆传媒色情片) College of Business and Economic Development and sponsored by The First, the forum will be held on Thursday, February 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Trent Lott National Center on the Hattiesburg campus. Admission is free, but is required.
鈥淚t is our pleasure to support the 2025 Economic Outlook Forum, an event our bank has sponsored for nearly two decades now,鈥� said M. Ray 鈥淗oppy鈥� Cole Jr., president and chief executive officer of The First. 鈥淥ur state and national economic outlook is critical to the success of both our bank and community, and we are proud to partner with 麻豆传媒色情片 to host such an important discussion here in Hattiesburg.鈥�
This year鈥檚 forum features two distinguished speakers:
- Matt Orton, CFA, is senior vice president and head of advisory solutions and market
strategy at Raymond James Investment Management. Orton has 14 years of investment
experience and frequently appears on news platforms like CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Yahoo!
Finance to provide expert market commentary. He previously held roles at BNP Paribas
and Goldman Sachs Asset Management and earned an MBA from Cornell University and a
bachelor鈥檚 degree from Vanderbilt University.
- Bill Cork is the executive director and chief economic development officer at the Mississippi Development Authority. Cork has more than 30 years of experience in economic development and urban planning, leading major projects across Mississippi. He previously served as deputy director of MDA and held leadership roles in industrial park and infrastructure development. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he earned a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois.
鈥淓ach year, the Economic Outlook Forum provides attendees with insights that assist in navigating an ever-changing economic landscape,鈥� said Dr. J. Bret Becton, dean of the 麻豆传媒色情片 College of Business and Economic Development. 鈥淲ith these two highly accomplished speakers sharing their expertise, this event continues to be an invaluable resource for business leaders and community members alike.鈥�
The Economic Outlook Forum attracts a diverse audience, including business leaders, financial professionals and community members, providing an opportunity to gain expert knowledge and network with industry professionals.
Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. Visit the to reserve your spot and learn more.
About The First Bank
Founded in 1996, The First Bank was formed by a group of business leaders who had a vision for creating a bank that would support the communities it served and build sustainable, long-term relationships with clients in those communities. Now, that dream has grown to an $8 billion asset, multi-state financial institution with operations spanning Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. As one of the largest certified Community Development Financial Institutions in the nation, The First employs over 1,000 team members in 115 locations throughout the five-state region. Since receiving the CDFI certification in 2010, the bank has awarded over $72 million in community investments to support economic growth, job creation and affordable housing projects in economically distressed areas. The company鈥檚 stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol, FBMS. Click for more information about The First Bank.