By Ida Brown / senior staff writer
A familiar face with the United Way of East Mississippi is leaving.
Campaign Director Janie Brown will end her five-year tenure with the local agency on Friday to oversee her family business.
"My husband and I have been building a dog boarding, grooming and training business for over a year now," said Brown.
"As the business has grown and as opportunities have come our way, we have decided that our business and our family now need my full attention."
In addition, Brown's husband, Rod, has begun working with the Meridian Police Department's K-9 dogs. He recently returned from Baghdad as a consultant for the Ministry of Defense.
"So with my husband starting something new and our business growing, plus me needing to be home more to take care of our family, we decided this is what I needed to do."
And though excited about what lies ahead, Brown is melancholy about leaving United Way.
"I love United Way, our board, our volunteers, our partner agencies and the many people of this community that have supported me," she said. "I have grown personally and spiritually from this experience; I have been humbled. But mostly, I have been blessed to get to know so many wonderful, giving people."
In addition to overseeing the agency's capital campaign drive, Brown also has been instrumental in developing and expanding other programs, including the uniform recycling program Each One, Reach One; the book bag program Supply Our Students and the newly organized Women's Leadership of Meridian.
Brown said she plans to continue to be active with the community's non-profit organizations.
"That's just in my blood," she said. "This community is where I have lived most of my life; where my husband and I have chosen to stay and raise our family; and where I hope to be for many more years. I will continue to support the efforts of the many wonderful agencies we have here and I will continue to advocate on behalf of those that need a voice."
