Northwest Mississippi Community College has announced that Jim Flanagan of DeSoto County is the recipient of the Spirit of Northwest Award.

Flanagan is married to the former Missy Ruff of Tupelo, and they have four children and five grandchildren. Flanagan is an active member of his community and currently lives in Hernando.

The Spirit of Northwest Award goes to a person who is an outstanding advocate for Northwest Mississippi Community College and has contributed to the legacy of excellence at the college.

“Jim Flanagan has spent an extraordinary career working for DeSoto Council, the Economic Development engine of DeSoto County,” said Patti Gordon, executive director of institutional advancement. “He has played a large role in the growth of new businesses and industries that have come to the county over the last 35 years and has been helpful to Northwest in securing federal funding for our current Ranger Center Building project located in DeSoto County. He is a tremendous friend to the college and an incredible advocate for all things DeSoto.”

Flanagan has worked as a landscape design consultant in Clarksdale. He also served as planning director and then executive director of the North Delta Planning and Development District. In 1988, he accepted the position of executive director of the DeSoto County Economic Development Council. He now serves as the president and CEO.

Flanagan has graduated from numerous leadership programs including Leadership Jackson, the West Star Leadership programs, the Economic Development Institution and the Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management.

An active member of his community both near and far, Flanagan has served on various boards and councils including the Mississippi Economic Development Council, the Baptist Memorial Hospital – DeSoto Advisory Board and the House of Grace Board of Directors.

Flanagan has also been named one of North America’s top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect.

Flanagan will be honored at this year’s Northwest Soiree, the college’s premier fundraising and community recognition event, alongside honorees for additional awards given this year.

Flanagan will receive this award at the Northwest Soiree on March 2 at the Heindl Center for Performing Arts on the Senatobia Campus.

To reserve tickets, visit heindlcenter.org.