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GodwinGroup’s Graves Named One of

Mississippi’s 50 Leading Businesswomen

JACKSON, Miss. (July 23, 2012) – Susan Graves, executive vice president, chief financial officer and partner at GodwinGroup, has been selected by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of the 50 Leading Businesswomen for 2012.  Recipients of this annual award are among some of the most influential female business leaders and senior decision-makers in Mississippi.

Graves joined GodwinGroup, an integrated marketing, advertising, and digital communications firm, in 1998 as director of finance.  She was later promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer.  In 2010, she became a shareholder and partner and serves on the agency executive committee.  Graves currently oversees all financial decisions for the company in addition to day-to-day supervision of the human resources, information technology, accounting and administrative support departments.   She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

“Susan’s leadership has played an important role in our agency’s growth and success, particularly in the last few years,” said Philip Shirley, GodwinGroup’s chairman and chief executive officer.   “Her knowledge of financial management, tax strategies, information systems and facilities planning has helped us proactively respond to our client’s needs.  We are proud of Susan’s recognition and feel the distinction is well-deserved.”

Winners will be honored during a two-day retreat in August at the Hinds Community College Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond.  As a Top Fifty winner, Graves will also be eligible for consideration for the Mississippi Businesswoman of the Year, which will be announced early next year.

GodwinGroup, founded in 1937, is headquartered in Jackson and has an office on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  It serves clients nationwide, primarily in healthcare, banking, finance and insurance, utilities, tourism, manufacturing, food and consumer goods. The agency has been recognized numerous times among the nation’s leading agencies as measured in revenues by Ad Age and AdWeek. GodwinGroup provides branding, advertising and reputation management services, as well as web marketing services through its digital arm WebMetro/Godwin.

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