UM law student

prepares for future

Joseph Luke Benedict of Oxford participated in The Mississippi Bar’s Leadership Forum 2016. The Forum’s mission is to prepare Mississippi young lawyers for future opportunities in leadership roles. Participants gained skills, knowledge and an understanding of being effective leaders in the profession and community.

Hampton Inn receives excellence award

Hampton Inn Oxford-West received a 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award.

Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on the online TripAdvisor site over the past year.

To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

“We are proud to be recognized by TripAdvisor with a Certificate of Excellence Award,” said Cesar Cuadra, general manager of Hampton Inn Oxford-West. “This honor is a testament to our dedication to exceptional customer service. We appreciate our guests giving us excellent ratings on this site and helping us to achieve this recognition.”

The hotel is located at 110 Heritage Drive in Oxford.

Kessinger named

VP of business

development at BNA

Kevin Kessinger has joined BNA Bank as vice president of business Development.

BNA Bank is opening a loan production office at 2091 Old Taylor Road in Oxford, and Kessinger joined BNA Bank to develop business opportunities for BNA Bank in this market.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work for BNA Bank, and I look forward to expanding the bank’s relationships in the Oxford area,” Kessinger said.

Kessinger is an alumnus of the University of Mississippi where he played baseball. After college he played with the Chicago Cubs before a career-ending injury. He has 22 years of experience in real estate, commercial and residential construction, sales and marketing. He currently resides in Oxford with his wife Kelly, and two sons Josh and Grae.