About Jack Reed, Jr.

Education/Professional Life

I was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on October 4, 1951 to Frances and Jack Reed. I’m a product of the Tupelo Public School system, graduating from THS with honors in 1969. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the successful integration of THS.

I went to Vanderbilt University and graduated with honors in 1973, having earned an SEC letter in tennis.

In 1973 I entered Ole Miss Law School. While there I was on the Editorial Board of the Law Journal and served as President of the Law School Student Body.

I joined the Mitchell, McNutt & Bush law firm in 1976 and practiced law until 1980. In 1980 I joined our family retail business, R.W. Reed Company (Reed’s).

In 1987 I became President of the company when my father ran for Governor; and remain there today. We have four stores—two in Tupelo, one in Columbus and one in Starkville. Reed’s was the prestigious Mississippi’s Business Journal’s first “Store of the Year”—and we are voted year after year as “Lee County’s Friendliest Store”.

Personal History

I have been married to Lisa White Reed of Birmingham since 1974. We have two children. Our daughter Kirk was married recently to Tate Forrester and they live in Austin, Texas while Tate attends The University of Texas Business School. Our son Jack is a third year law student at Ole Miss Law School.

I was lucky enough to have had wonderful parents—Frances and Jack Reed, Sr. My dad is still very active; a great role model, and one of our community’s leaders for half a century.

I have two sisters, Camille Sloan and Catherine Mize, and one brother, Scott Reed. They, their spouses, Crofton, Buzzy, and Annette and all of their children help form a big, supportive family here in Tupelo.

Lisa’s parents are Libby Shannon and the late David White. They and Lisa’s sisters Margaret Head and Penny Page, their husband’s Holman Head and Ruffner Page, her brother David White and his wife, Beth and all of their children form another great family for us.

I’m a lucky man.

Community Service

I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in a number of organizations in Tupelo and North Mississippi that are making real difference in the lives of our people.

I’ve served as :
Past Chair—The United Way of NE Mississippi
Past Chair—NE Habitat for Humanity
Past Chair—The Good Samaritan Free Clinic
Past Chair—The Renasant Center for IDEAS (business incubator)
Past Chair—Downtown Tupelo/Main Street Partnership
Past Chair—Leadership Mississippi Alumni Association
Past Co-Chair (with wife, Lisa)—United Methodist Senior Services Green Houses Capital Campaign
Founder—Tupelo High School Intramural Program

I’m currently serving as:

An Officer and Director of the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC)
Past Chairman and a Director of the Community Development Foundation (CDF)
The Yocona Area Boy Scouts Executive Board
Chairman of The Tupelo Police Athletic League
First United Methodist Church Sunday School Teacher

Honors

Eagle Scout

Outstanding Volunteer (with Lisa) Northeast Habitat for Humanity
Outstanding Volunteer (with Lisa) Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Outstanding Volunteer—United Way of Northeast Mississippi
Outstanding Volunteer—Mississippi Main Street Association
Winner—The Jack Reed, Sr. Advocate for Education Award

Passion

Finding a cure for children with Juvenile Diabetes

Lisa and I have found a place to direct our energy by working as volunteers in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

For the past 6 years we have led Mississippi’s “Walk For A Cure” with the help of hundreds of our generous friends. Lisa serves as Mississippi’s Legislative Leader and I serve on the National Government Relations Committee.

In 2005 we were humbled to have been chosen as JDRF’s International Volunteers of the Year at their meeting in Chicago.

Personal Motto

“God wants life to be a party; it’s just up to us to make sure everyone is invited.”

Paid for by committee to elect Jack Reed Jr. for Mayor