Roderick Head embodies the essence of a Marketing Technologist – blending strategic vision, creative direction, and technological prowess. Head is currently Managing Member of Catalytix LLC, an IT Consulting and Services firm. With a rich background spanning media, entertainment, and technology sectors, Head has honed his expertise at Infosys Consulting in their CIO Advisory vertical, Memphis-Shelby County Schools and industry giants like iHeartMedia, recognized for his ability to bridge diverse domains, ensuring impactful solutions that drive growth and transformation. Head is a NBMBAA Memphis member and served several years on the University of Memphis Executive MBA Alumni Advisory Council.
Head holds a Bachelor of Science in Recording Industry Management with a double minor in Marketing and Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University, an Executive MBA from The University of Memphis, a Master of Science in Data Science from Indiana University, and the following certifications:
- Apptio Certified Practitioner: ApptioOne (Technology Business Management) & Cloudability (Cloud FinOps)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (In Progress)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (In Progress)
- IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ICGB)
- Certified SAFe® 6 Product Owner/Product Manager (SAFe POPM)
- Certified SAFe® 5 Product Owner/Product Manager (SAFe POPM)
- ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor
- ITIL 4 Foundation
- ITIL v3 Foundation
Scott Campbell is a Field Vice President and Regional Counsel for The Travelers Companies, commonly known as Travelers. Campbell joined Travelers’ Staff Counsel Program in Indianapolis as a Litigation Attorney in 2002 and later served as Managing Counsel for offices in Memphis, Little Rock and Jackson, MS. He has held several leadership positions with Travelers, including serving as the Product Line Lead for Auto, Northland Insurance, National Programs, and Specialized Distribution. Campbell began his legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Indiana Court of Appeals before becoming a partner at an Indianapolis based law firm. Campbell earned his B.A. Degree from Wabash College and his Juris Doctorate from Indiana University – McKinney School of Law. Campbell is admitted to practice law in Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Campbell is Southaven Leadership Foundation’s Immediate Past President, serving as President from its inception in 2015 through 2018.
Gabriel is a Psychologist and Investor that began his career working with children on the spectrum of autism. With over 15 years in Psychotherapy and Counseling, Conway uses the lessons and experiences to help mentor young students in the Memphis-Shelby County School District. Gabriel is currently pursuing both a Master’s degree and Professional Certificate in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
MacAuther Sharkey is a dedicated and meticulous accounting professional and has been meeting the accounting and tax preparation needs of small businesses and individuals for over 20 years in the Bethel Grove and Orange Mound Community with a client base that spreads throughout the United States. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Sharkey was inspired to start his own business, SharkeyInc. LLC, which specializes in computerized bookkeeping and electronic filing services. With a strong accounting and tax background, Sharkey provides his clients with expert advice, professionalism, and peace of mind, and adopted the philosophy of his accounting mentor, of “Each One, Teach One” within his business.
Sharkey was born and raised in Memphis, TN and graduated from “The” Melrose High School. After high school, Sharkey attended Mississippi Valley State University on a football scholarship, and later obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Victory University.
Sharkey has been a member of the National Society of Tax Professionals (NSTP) since 1998, and has served as Treasurer of the Southaven Leadership Foundation since its inception in 2015. Sharkey also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Pendlove Inc., a non-profit organization that provides long term care housing, resources, and services for seniors and the mildly mentally ill.
Arshun Collins serves as a Southaven Leadership Foundation Board Member and led the mentoring program from 2017 to 2022, leading young men to leadership for success.
Collins is currently employed with the State of Tennessee as a State Trooper and works several counties in West Tennessee in all aspects of law enforcement. Prior to becoming a State Trooper, Collins served as Supervisor for TSA, which is a federal agency under The Department of Homeland Security for 10 years.
Collins holds an MBA and BSBA and was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2019. Collins’ hobbies are weightlifting and sports.
Rev. Dr. Keith LaMount Robinson, I, a native of Memphis, TN, is Founder and Pastor of CANAAN The House of Glory. A gifted man of God, Robinson is Sergeant at Arms for the Tennessee Mass Choir, owner of The Learning Station Enrichment Center, and the list goes on. Robinson has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Sociology from University of Memphis, a Masters of Arts in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Jacksonville Theological Seminary.
Perry Tate is a career Law Enforcement Officer. Tate spent over 16 years with the Jackson Police Department, a dedicated officer who quickly rose through the ranks to the Investigation Unit and Patrol Sergeant due to a strong work ethic. Tate has an extremely analytical mind and can uncover details that would otherwise be easily overlooked. Tate used that experience to accept a position with Mississippi Attorney General’s Office as a Senior Criminal Investigator and has been with the Attorney General’s Office for 11 years. Tate has been featured on Investigation Discovery’s “Crime Scene Confidential: Cracking Brian’s Case,” a documentary about the murder of Brian Hughes. Tate has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Jackson State University.
As Executive Director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Kelvin Watson oversees 25 branches run by 600+ employees, spanning 8,000 square miles, with a budget of $77 million and a collection of 3.2 million items. Watson has brought innovative, award-winning leadership to Nevada’s largest library system and his deep experience in fundraising, technology, program development, and demonstrated success in addressing the digital divide, has brought a new era to this library system.
Regarded as one of the most highly respected thought leaders in the library industry, Watson is credited with expanding his customer base in multiple library management roles, through outreach efforts to underserved and diverse populations. Two examples of these in Las Vegas are a partnership with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, which made digital access to the library available to bus riders and in 2022 was recognized with three awards — the American Library Association Library (ALA) of the Future Award, the RUSA Best Emerging Technology Award, and the Urban Libraries Council Top Innovators Honorable Mention. The Library District’s many literacy programs for adults and children received the Crystal Bookmark Award from the Las Vegas Book Festival.
Watson joined the Library District from his role as the Director of the Broward County Libraries Division, where he managed through 38 locations in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida region. During his tenure at Broward County Libraries, Watson brought transformative change through ambitious and groundbreaking initiatives such as streamlining access to resources, introducing new technology, and developing new collaborative partnerships. Watson was named the 2021 winner of the Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award, sponsored by Novelist, for his dedication to implementing new and innovative ways to meet customers – both existing and new – “where they are,” with initiatives targeting non-traditional library users.
Under Kelvin’s leadership, the Florida Library Association (FLA) named Broward County Libraries as the 2020 Library of the Year. The FLA also named Kelvin the 2019 Librarian of the Year, and the American Library Association (ALA) named the Broward County Libraries the Library of the Future, all of which he credits to the work of his staff. Other awards over his career have included the 2016 inaugural ALA Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession; the 2017 DEMCO/ALA Black Caucus Award for Excellence in Librarianship; and as the 2019 Community Service & Distinguished Achievement Honoree by the Friends of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, just to name a few.
Previously, he served as COO/Senior Vice President for Queens Library, after rising through the leadership ranks of the organization from a distinguished background in technology. In his prior role as Chief Innovation & Technology Officer/Vice President, Information, Technology, and Development, Watson was instrumental in establishing several groundbreaking programs, and he developed and implemented digital divide strategies, which promoted equality and equity for all.
Watson started his career as a Commissioned Officer in the Active U.S. Army and Army Reserves and transitioned into the private sector as a leader with Ingram Library Services, Borders Group, and The Library Corporation (TLC). These positions fueled Watson’s passion for the field of Library Science, and he went on to join the USDA National Agricultural Library.
Throughout his career, Watson has remained active as a speaker and panelist at conferences and an author of articles in national library publications. Watson serves on the San Jose State University School of Information, Leadership, and Management Program Advisory Committee, co-chairs the American Library Association Digital Content Working Group, and serves on the American Library Association Business Advisory Group, REALM Project Steering Committee and on the Board of the Book Industry Study Group. Watson is a Past President and Life Member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and past Public Library Association Board member.
Additionally, Watson has served in a diverse number of volunteer leadership roles: FLA Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Task Force, bringing together young, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals to make their voices hear within the Florida Library Association; a member of the ALA Committee on Accreditation; New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries; Metropolitan New York Library Council Board of Trustees; Asian/Pacific Librarians Association Research and Travel Awards Committee; Coretta Scott King Book Award Juror; AASL Diversity Task Force member; Spectrum Scholarship Juror; Young Librarians ALA Presidential Task Force member; Legacy South Florida magazine’s “50 Most Influential and Powerful Black Professionals of 2020”; Profiled in Black Issues Book Review Jan/Feb 2006 Issue as one of the “Influential African Americans in the Book Industry”; and Parkway Alumni Hall of Fame – Class of 2006.
Kelvin earned a B.S. Degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Military Science from Lincoln University (MO). Watson earned his MLS Degree from North Carolina Central University. In 2019, Watson completed the MIT SLOAN School of Management Executive Program Certificate, Internet of Things: Business Implications and Opportunities and the MIT SLOAN School of Management Executive Program Certificate, Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy. In 2020, he completed the MIT SLOAN School of Management Executive Program Certificate, Cybersecurity, 2020.
Kevin Webb is a 27-year Music Educator with Shelby County Schools, a legacy Memphis City School Band Director currently serving as Director of Bands and Related Activities at Mitchell High School. Webb has led several award-winning ensembles including the Tiger Sound Machine Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Noted awards include Superior Ratings at the West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra’s Concert Festival and a plethora of Awards at Marching Festivals in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Indiana, and Louisiana. Webb’s students have received millions of dollars in scholarships to various university band programs. Webb has a Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi Valley State University.
Dwight Barker is an entrepreneur and business owner that started his career in the restaurant industry. Barker spent over 15 years in the food service industry as a corporate executive as well as a successful restaurant franchise owner. Barker used that experience to start ECS, LLC, a consulting business to assist businesses across the United States in management strategy, human resources, operations, and marketing. Barker is a member of the Planning Commission as well as the Chairman of the Industrial Development Board in Arlington, TN. Barker has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of Southern Mississippi.