Carothers named to Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40

November 11, 2020

Janel L. Carothers, Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission Chief Development Officer, is among the winners of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40 for 2020.

“We are truly pleased to recognize and honor a great group of Mississippi’s business and civic leaders under 40,” said Tami Jones, Mississippi Business Journal publisher. “These deserving men and women have already proven themselves as high achievers and trend setters, and we have no doubt that many of these individuals will go on to even greater success in the years to come.”

The Top 50 Under 40 awards program was set to take place in April, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mississippi Business Journal cancelled the event. Instead, MBJ has released a video presentation and special publication highlighting the 2020 honorees.

As Chief Development Officer, Carothers is responsible for industrial recruitment, site development, existing industry expansion assistance, and marketing and recruitment outreach to prospective companies and consultants.

Before joining HCPHC, she was Director of Industrial Development for the Harrison County Development Commission.

Carothers is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she completed the nationally recognized Economic and Workforce Development Master's program. She is a member of the Mississippi Economic Development Council and an active participant in the Southern Economic Development Council.

She received scholarships from both Mississippi Economic Development Council and Southern Economic Development Council to pursue Certified Economic Developer designation. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Coast Young Professionals. 

Earlier this year, Carothers was recognized by the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce's One Coast Awards as a winner of the prestigious Top 10 Under 40 award.