Two portraits unveiled Tuesday at the Meridian Community College – Riley Workforce Development Center further symbolize the commitment of two institutions toward job training and enticing businesses and industry to operate locally.

The building’s name indicates the college’s appreciation for the $3.7 million investment the Riley Foundation has provided toward the workforce development facility–an effort to teach job skills so people can earn a good living for themselves and their families.

Resources provided by the foundation covered more than half of the more than $7 million in facility costs.

Two men – Bob Deen, 92, and Marty Davidson, 77 – helped steer Riley Foundation resources toward the program and now have portraits on display in a conference room named after them.

Deen serves as president and chief operations officer of the Riley Foundation, while Davidson fills the roles of chairman, CEO and treasurer.

The men feel personally committed to providing efforts for local job growth and expansion. They grew up in the area and want to see Meridian and Lauderdale County’s resurgence grow exponentially.

“I feel like we’ve done a small part in helping Meridian grow,” Deen said with modesty.

The Riley Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people in Meridian and Lauderdale County. To date, the philanthropic foundation has invested about $60 million in efforts to improve the area.

“It’s for generations to come,” Davidson said. “It’s going to help Meridian from now on.”

MCC President Scott Elliott said Deen and Davison’s leadership and the foundation’s resources made the difference in determining whether the workforce training facility would be built.

“It’s all about developing a vibrant and viable workforce for industry,” Elliott said. “This facility would never have been built without the support of the Riley Foundation.”