Grammy Museum® Mississippi has announced the addition of new members to its Board of Directors. The new members,
Rochelle Hicks, Executive Director for Visit Mississippi, Mary Elizabeth Jeffreys, Red Carpet Guild Chair, Ken Kimble, Managing Director of Development for Youth Villages, Inc., Lauren Powell Director of Tourism for Cleveland, Mississippi, Jim Trotter, Walker Foundation, and Erin Frankenheimer, Executive Director of the The Recording Academy Memphis Chapter, have been elected to 3-year term. All terms for the new Board Members began in January 2026.
The Board of Directors is responsible for governance, oversight, and major decision-making for Grammy Museum Mississippi, and establishing a strategic plan so that the Museum can fulfill its educational mission.
“We are thrilled to welcome these new members to our Board of Directors,” said Emily Havens, Executive Director of Grammy Museum Mississippi. “Each of these accomplished new members brings valuable expertise and a deep commitment to Mississippi and the region, making them outstanding additions to our Board. We look forward to working alongside them and the rest of our Board to strengthen Grammy Museum Mississippi’s role as a cultural and tourism destination, while continuing to support and expand the educational programs and experiences that inspire visitors from across the state and beyond for years to come.”
ABOUT JIM TROTTER
Jim Trotter is an accomplished pianist, vocalist, choral conductor, arts leader, and philanthropist whose career is rooted in meaningful community investment and arts advocacy. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2015, completing an Independent Depth Study focused on Managing and Promoting the Entertainment Industry, combining artistic excellence with nonprofit and leadership expertise.
In 2010 and 2011, Trotter was selected as the first Alabamian to attend the Grammy Foundation’s prestigious Grammy Camp, where he collaborated with Grammy Award–winning artists and leading music industry professionals. These formative experiences shaped his commitment to expanding opportunity, access, and sustainability within the arts.
After spending a decade with Live Nation, the global leader in live entertainment, overseeing Regional Sponsorship and Premium Seat Sales throughout the Southeast, Trotter returned his focus to community impact. As Vice President of Development and Marketing for the Walker Area Community Foundation, he plays a key role in stewarding philanthropic resources, strengthening partnerships, and investing in the long-term vitality of the community that first influenced his involvement in the arts.
In addition to his philanthropic leadership, Trotter serves as Worship Leader at First Baptist Church of Jasper, Alabama. He resides in Birmingham, Alabama, and remains deeply connected to the region that continues to shape both his artistic and professional work.
ABOUT KEN KIMBLE
Ken Kimble has spent more than 25 years as a fundraising professional serving a range of local and national organizations. He currently serves as Managing Director of Development for Youth Villages, Inc., a national organization dedicated to helping children and families facing mental and behavioral health challenges.
A respected leader in transformational fundraising, Kimble leads a team of more than thirty development officers across six U.S. markets, with a focus on building strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families. He oversees major giving strategies totaling more than $12 million annually, in addition to a current $35 million capital campaign.
Kimble is an active volunteer in the Memphis community and has served on several local nonprofit boards.
ABOUT LAUREN POWELL
Lauren Powell is the Director of Tourism for Visit Cleveland, Mississippi. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Director of the Bologna Performing Arts Center and the Delta Arts Alliance. Lauren is passionate about supporting Cleveland and sharing its rich cultural history, and she is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this meaningful way.
ABOUT MARY ELIZABETH JEFFREYS
Mary Elizabeth Jeffreys serves as Office Manager and Legal Assistant at Povall & Jeffreys, P.A., where she brings extensive experience in administration, organization, and client support. Deeply committed to community engagement and leadership across the Mississippi Delta, Jeffreys has held numerous leadership roles in civic, educational, arts, and nonprofit organizations throughout Cleveland and the surrounding region.
Her community involvement includes serving as Past Chapter President and Life Advisor for Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland, Past Festival Chair for Crosstie Arts Council, and President of the Grammy Museum Mississippi Red Carpet Guild. She has also served as Past PTF President and Fundraising Chair for Presbyterian Day School, Secretary of the Bayou Academy Foundation, President of the Delta Home and Garden Club, and is an active member of Calvary Episcopal Church.
Jeffreys earned both her Master of Taxation and Bachelor of Accountancy degrees from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, graduating in 1999 and 1998 respectively.
Mary Elizabeth and her husband, Todd Jeffreys, have three children: William, Margaret, and Wright.
ABOUT ROCHELLE HICKS
Rochelle Hicks was appointed as the Director of Visit Mississippi, the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority by Governor Tate Reeves in July 2023. As Director, Hicks oversees the state’s tourism brand, advances tourism initiatives, and promotes Mississippi to a broader domestic and international audience. Hicks brings a wealth of experience and a passion for promoting our unique culture, music, history, natural beauty, and culinary assets of our state through innovative marketing strategies. With a 25+ year career in tourism, she has successfully led initiatives to enhance Mississippi’s visibility as a premier travel destination. Rochelle and her husband Jason live in Madison with their twins, Isabella & Ethan.
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