Jean Cadney is a human dynamo.
Cadney, vice president of human resources at Greenwood Utilities, has been extensively involved in Greenwood philanthropic organizations.
Past president of the United Way of Leflore County and Salvation Army boards of directors and Cottonlandia (now the Museum of the Mississippi Delta, Cadney has been an ever-present force of activism in Leflore County.
This year, Cadney becomes vice president of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, which will ultimately lead to the presidency of the chamber in 2015.
Kelvin Scott, is the chamber president this year. Mark Hutson is serving as president-elect.
Cadney was selected at a chamber meeting in December.
The chamber is an organization that has been near and dear to Cadney for more than 20 years.
She said she was recruited by a young Tim Kalich, now the editor and publisher of The Commonwealth, and said she hasn’t regretted a minute of it.
“When I came on board, I was a member of the chamber’s education committee,” Cadney said.
Then Janice Moor, the chamber’s former executive vice president, asked Cadney if she’d consider working on the chamber’s membership committee.
“The next thing I knew, she had put me on the membership committee. Membership is the way they get their dollars. I think I chaired that committee maybe three times,” Cadney said.
Cadney recently co-chaired the chamber’s Roy Martin Delta Band Festival Committee with Chris Walker.
Even though she’s been elected vice president of the chamber, Cadney said, she’d like to continue serving on the band festival committee.
“It’s exciting. It’s a lot of hard work but there are a lot of great people on that committee and we have a lot of fun,” she said.
Cadney said the satisfaction comes from seeing the Delta Band Festival from start to finish.
“I guess, it’s just the enjoyment of seeing that come to fruition the day of the parade,” she said.
Tim Tyler, the chamber’s past president, said Cadney is a perfect fit for a leadership position at the chamber.
“Jean is an obvious choice for vice president because she’s so community minded. We knew she would be a good choice,” he said.
Tyler and Cadney both have served as president of United Way. In addition, Tyler said, Cadney’s been a “very effective leader and recruiter” for United Way.
Cadney’s extensive community involvement includes serving on the boards of directors of Main Street Greenwood and the Leflore County Fuller Center for Housing.
She currently serves as vice chairman on the executive committee of Greenwood-Leflore Industrial Board and the Leflore County Emergency Food and Shelter Board.
Cadney worked for 16 years at Mississippi Valley State University. She served as events coordinator for the university president as well as a development officer before leaving for Greenwood Utilities in 2005.
Upon coming to Greenwood Utilities, she quickly advanced from business development specialist and training coordinator to personnel and then, finally, to vice president of human resources.
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Cadney said when Tyler approached her about becoming chamber vice president, she was concerned about the four-year commitment it would entail.
“I thought, ‘Well, I’ve been part of the chamber for 20 years,’” she said.
Cadney said Greenwood has been moving in the right direction for a long time.
“In terms of the Chamber of Commerce, it’s probably the No. 1 ambassador for the city of Greenwood,” she said.
“We support businesses and we’re always trying to get businesses in the community to join. There’s a place for everybody that wants to volunteer,” Cadney said.
Getting involved is a simple proposition, she said.
“The way that I see it, all of us live here, we work here, we do business here, so we should want to see our community grow. A good way to do that is to become a member of the chamber,” Cadney said.
Cadney said her volunteerism — rather than just her race or gender — figured prominently in her selection as vice president.
“I think it had to do with my involvement with the chamber. Hopefully, I’ll be able to bring something to the chamber. I know I’m going to learn a lot. Hopefully, I’ll make a contribution too,” she said.
Cadney’s parents moved to Greenwood when she was in the sixth grade.
She married Lorenzo Norris Cadney and the couple moved to Sikeston, Mo.
They moved back to Greenwood in 1987. Lorenzo Cadney died in 1997.
The couple had two sons, Phil and Brandon. Those sons now have children of their own.
Tyler said Cadney dedication is noteworthy.
“I admire her effort and commitment to the community over the years,” he said.
Cadney is quick to say that volunteerism is important at the chamber.
“You’re promoting Greenwood. I’m not the only person that’s passionate about this community. I think most people who live here are, especially the people who are working here and doing business here,” she said.
Greenwood is fortunate to have good people and growth in inevitable, she said.
“You have these people with all of their expertise, you can’t help but grow. You can’t do anything but go forward,” Cadney said.
Recruiting just comes naturally to Cadney.
“There is something you can do. There is something that everybody can do. You’re obligated, as a citizen,” she said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
