Mayor Jack Reed, Jr.

I was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on October 4, 1951 to Frances and Jack Reed. I’m a product of the Tupelo Public School system, graduating from THS with honors in 1969. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the successful integration of THS.

I attended Vanderbilt University and graduated with honors in 1973, having earned an SEC letter in tennis.

In 1973, I entered Ole Miss Law School. While there I was on the Editorial Board of the Law Journal and served as President of the Law School Student Body.

I joined the Mitchell, McNutt & Bush law firm in 1976 and practiced law until 1980. In 1980, I joined our family retail business, R.W. Reed Company (Reed’s).

In 1987, I became the President of the company when my father ran for Governor. We have four stores – two in Tupelo, one in Columbus, and one in Starkville. Reed’s was the prestigious Mississippi Business Journal’s first “Store of the Year.” Reed’s is voted year after year as “Lee County’s Friendliest Store.”

I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in a number of organizations in Tupelo and North Mississippi that are making a real difference in the lives of our people.

I’ve served as Past Chair for the United Way of Northeast Mississippi; Past Chair of Northeast Habitat for Humanity; Past Chair of the Good Samaritan Free Clinic; Past Chair of The Renasant Center for Ideas (business incubator); Past Chair of Downtown Tupelo/Main Street Partnership; Past Chair of Leadership MS Alumni Association; Past Co-Chair (with wife, Lisa) of United Methodist Senior Services Green Houses Capital Campaign; Founder of Tupelo High School Intramural Program.

I’m currently serving as Past Chair of the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC); Past Chair and a Director of the Community Development Foundation (CDF); The Yocona Area Boy Scouts Executive Board; Chairman of The Tupelo Police Athletic League; First United Methodist Church Sunday School Teacher.

I am honored to have received various awards for different areas of service.  Along with my wife, Lisa, we were named Northeast Habitat for Humanity Outstanding Volunteers and Big Brothers/Big Sisters Outstanding Volunteers. I was fortunate to receive the United Way of Northeast Mississippi and Mississippi Main Street Outstanding Volunteer awards, as well as The Jack Reed, Sr. Advocate for Education Award.

I have been married to Lisa White Reed since 1974. We have two children, Kirk and Jack. I was lucky enough to have had wonderful parents – Frances and Jack Reed, Sr. My dad is still very active; a great role model, and one of our community’s leaders for half a century. I have two sisters, Camille Sloan and Catherine Mize, and one brother, Scott Reed.  They, their spouses, Crofton, Buzzy, and Annette and all of their children help form a big, supportive family here in Tupelo. Lisa’s parents are the late Libby Shannon and the late David White.  They and Lisa’s sisters, Margaret Head and Penny Page, their husband’s Holman Head and Ruffner Page, her brother David White and his wife, Beth and all of their children form another great family for us. I am a lucky man.

Lisa and I have found a place to direct our energy by working as volunteers in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For the past 6 years we have led Mississippi’s “Walk For A Cure” with the help of hundreds of our generous friends. In 2005, we were humbled to have been chosen as JDRF’s International Volunteers of the Year at their meeting in Chicago.

My personal motto is: “God wants life to be a party; it’s just up to us to make sure everyone is invited.”