The Phil Hardin Foundation, a statewide education philanthropy based in Meridian, recently elected Alan Lamar to its Board of Directors.

Lamar, a Meridian native and lifelong resident, is a private wealth financial advisor with Coffin, Lamar, Sims & Hannah Private Wealth Management of Wells Fargo Advisors.

“Alan has long been involved in a variety of leadership roles in Meridian and is highly regarded for his intellect, integrity, financial acumen and community commitment,” said Robert Ward, Hardin Foundation president and chairman of the board. “His experience, character and knowledge of our community and state and the educational challenges they face make him an ideal addition to the Hardin Foundation board.”

Lamar received his Bachelor of Professional Accountancy from Mississippi State University and his Master’s of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi. He served as treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience during its fundraising, construction and opening phases and is currently board treasurer of the Meridian Community College Foundation. He is a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Meridian and a former recipient of the United Way Volunteer of the Year Award.

He is married to Lou Ann Jones Lamar, a reading interventionist at Northeast Elementary School, and they are the parents of three children: Ann Morgan Lamar Wells, senior director at Cooley Public Strategies in Nashville, Tennessee; Logan Lamar, a second-year medical student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson; and William Lamar, who will begin work soon at KPMG CPAs in Dallas.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be selected as a Phil Hardin Foundation board member,” Lamar said. “My father was the foundation’s external CPA since inception and my time spent auditing the foundation’s records really piqued my interest in the stock market 30 years ago. My mother, both of my sisters, and my wife are or have been educators. I am excited to be able to continue my family’s legacy improving the education of Mississippians through my work with the Phil Hardin Foundation.”

Established in 1964 by the owner of Hardin’s Bakeries, the Phil Hardin Foundation seeks to improve educational outcomes for Mississippi children and youth and expand access to high-quality educational opportunities. Grants are made from the earnings on assets currently totaling approximately $70 million, with at least half of the foundation’s grant funds distributed in Meridian and Lauderdale County each year.