Jackson, Tennessee – Jackson Chamber chief economic development officer, Mandy White has been elected vice chair to the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc. (JAST) Board of Directors.
Headquartered in Nashville, JAST’s mission is to strengthen a vibrant bilateral economic future for Tennessee and Japan by building upon long-standing relationships and promoting mutual understanding and cultural awareness among Japanese and American communities in Tennessee.
“Having served on the board in recent years, I have become more involved and more knowledgeable about the great work this organization does for the State of Tennessee,” White said. “I am beyond flattered to be asked to serve in this role alongside leaders that I respect greatly.”
According to a press release from Lindsay Dawkins – Jackson Chamber vice president of investor relations – the Jackson Chamber has been a member of JAST for over two decades.
With seven Japanese-owned manufacturing companies in Jackson, this membership has been vital in learning about Japanese culture, helping to better support and understand current and future Japanese companies. These seven companies represent more than 2,400 employees and billions of dollars invested in the local economy.
Japanese-owned manufacturing companies in Jackson include:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing TN opened in 2005
TBDN Tennessee Company (Toyota Boshoku, Denso) opened in 1990
Toyota Boshoku Tennessee opened in 2002
UGN (Nittoku) opened in 2002
MOST Missouri Smelting Technology (Toyota Tsusho) opened in 2005
Pacific Manufacturing TN (Pacific Industries) opened in 2015
Green Metals (Toyota Tsusho) opened in 2005
“I am thankful for the support the organization has given me through the years and am proud to work with its leadership to continue supporting and promoting our Japanese-owned companies in our community,” White stated.
“Mandy White has developed a keen understanding of the importance of building relationships with our Japanese companies both in Jackson and their corporate offices in Japan,” said Kyle Spurgeon, president/CEO of the Jackson Chamber. “Her experience will be a valuable asset to JAST.”
About the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc.
Established in 2000 to promote friendly relations and cultural understanding between the people of the state of Tennessee and Japan, the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc. (JAST) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, funded by individual and corporate membership fees and grants from government institutions and private foundations. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Society are The Honorable Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee and The Honorable Kayoko Fukushima, Consul-General of Japan in Nashville.
(PHOTO: Mandy White)
