In January 2016, we lost Jack Reed, Sr. – a special leader who achieved an unparalleled record of service to our region.  Jack was a founding board member of the CREATE Foundation and served as its chairman.  He was also one of the original members of the Commission and served as its chairman.  As a way to perpetually remember this great regional leader, the CREATE Board established the Jack Reed, Sr. Northeast Mississippi Community Leadership Award.  It is presented annually at our State of the Region meetings to individuals who have demonstrated vision, integrity, and a commitment to excellence over an extended period of time.  Each recipient of the award will be given the opportunity to recommend the disbursement of $2,000 to charities of their choice from the Jack Reed, Sr. Community Leadership Endowment Fund at CREATE, which was established by a special dividend of $50,000 from Journal, Inc.