The Union Chamber of Commerce is welcoming one of its own to be the keynote speaker of the annual chamber banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Union First Baptist Church’s fellowship hall.
Journalism veteran and Union native Nancy Jo Maples will be the featured speaker of the annual banquet. Tickets are available for the March 23 banquet and may be purchased at State Farm of Union, Union Piggly Wiggly, Union Supply or from board members. For more information on tickets or the banquet, call 601-774-9586.
Nancy Jo Maples
A native of Union, Nancy Jo Maples is the daughter of the late Eugene and Janelle Buntyn. After graduating Union High School in 1982, she attended East Central Community College for two years followed by the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication. She also holds a master’s degree in communication from the University of South Alabama.
Maples has been a journalist for more than 30 years working for newspapers, magazines and public relations projects and winning numerous awards for her writing. Her extensive research on the history of rural electricity led her to author the 160-page book Staying Power: The History of South Mississippi Electric Power Association. She also won the Lantern Award for her accounting of the history of Singing River Electric Power Association.
Maples teaches communication at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and writes for Today in Mississippi. Her stories encompass people and places of human interest in Mississippi.
She is a member of First United Methodist Church where she has served as chairman of pastor-parish relations and as Sunday school teacher. She is currently chairman of the Jackson/George Regional Library Board and is active in the Daughters of the American Revolution. She and her husband, Chancery Judge Mark Maples, have three children and live in Lucedale.
Beau Roberts
Beau Roberts is a native of Meridian, who has been studying piano for nearly 15 years.
He is currently a sophomore at East Central Community College, majoring in piano performance. He is the president of East Central’s elite a cappella vocal ensemble, Vocé. He is also a member of the concert choir and Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Society.
Roberts’ musical education has been largely focused on congregational accompaniment, classical performance, hymn arranging, choral accompaniment, and advanced theoretical concepts. He has recently launched his own music teaching studio where he teaches 10 students ranging from first grade to 12th.
Roberts is also a recording artist, having recorded and produced a newly released single titled, “Tell the Story.” He manages his music business where he sells his hymn arrangements and album all over the world.
Roberts has made appearances playing with the ECCC Concert Choir, BHF Choir, and is the main pianist at his church. He has performed all over Mississippi and surrounding states, and is honored to be here with you all today.
