The Riley Foundation announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: William W. Simmons and Jay Davidson.
Collectively, the new directors bring extensive experience in law, governance, public policy, community engagement, and industry leadership. They will help guide The Riley Foundation as it continues to invest in the community, while strengthening the organization’s commitment to healthcare and education in Meridian and Lauderdale County.
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William W. Simmons
A lifelong resident of Meridian, Will Simmons graduated from Meridian High School in 1991. After attending Millsaps College, he earned his degree from the University of Mississippi in 1998. Following several years working along the Gulf Coast, Will returned home in 2002 to practice law with the firm Glover Young.
For nearly two decades, Will has had the privilege of assisting the City of Meridian in various legal capacities, working alongside local leaders to support civic efforts and address community needs. His dedication to service extends across East Mississippi through past and present board work with Hope Village for Children, the Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter, and the Community Foundation of East Mississippi. He also volunteers his time offering legal guidance to area non-profits and has spent several seasons coaching the Lamar School mock trial team. In 2025, Will joined The Riley Foundation, where he is grateful to play a supporting role in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Meridian and the momentum created by Mississippi State University’s expanding footprint.
At home, Will and Edie are the proud parents of two daughters: an older daughter working as a graphic designer and a younger daughter beginning her college career. Edie serves the local community as an English Language Learner teacher for Meridian Public Schools. Together, the family is deeply rooted in their church, taking part in Sunday school, weekly Bible study, the Vestry, and various parish ministries.
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Jay Davidson
Jay Davidson is also a Meridian native and has been with Southern Pipe and Supply since 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin.
Jay is the CEO of Southern Pipe and Supply, headquartered in Meridian, MS. Under his leadership, Southern Pipe and Supply has been recognized as the “Best Place to Work in Mississippi” for a record 18 times by the Mississippi Business Journal. SPS has also been named by Fortune magazine among the “Top Ten Places to Work in the United States Construction Market” five times. He is passionate about college sports and enjoys playing tennis in his spare time.
Jay and his wife Sheryl have been married for 27 years. They have two children.
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After 33 years of combined service with Riley Development Systems and The Riley Foundation, Becky Farley retired as Executive Director of The Riley Foundation on December 31, 2025.
In January 2026, Farley joined the Board of Directors of The Riley Foundation, where she serves on the Executive Committee as board secretary and will continue her role as liaison to Mississippi State University.
The Riley Foundation was established in January 1998 following the sale of Riley Memorial Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $85 million in grants in Meridian.
In 1999, The Riley Foundation acquired the Grand Opera House and the former Marks Rothenberg buildings and donated both properties to Mississippi State University, along with $15 million to establish the MSU Riley Education and Performing Arts Center. This marked the beginning of the Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Mississippi State University and was the beginning of Meridian’s downtown revitalization.
The Riley Foundation acquired the remaining two buildings on the block—the Deen and Rosenbaum buildings — which currently house Mississippi State University’s healthcare programs. This acquisition transformed an entire block of vacant, deteriorating buildings into space dedicated to education and community development.
To date, The Riley Foundation has awarded more than $55 million to Mississippi State University to support scholarships, capital improvements, and startup costs associated with MSU’s healthcare programs. These programs include the expansion of Mental Health programs, including the new Doctor of Psychology degree; the Physician Assistant program; the Master of Science in Nursing program; and startup costs for the upcoming Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Other significant downtown Meridian grants include start up costs of $4 million for both the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX) and Mississippi Children’s Museum – Meridian.
The Riley Foundation has also supported the Meridian community through funding for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Meridian Art Association, The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, Free Clinic of Meridian, L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen, and the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, among many others.
As Mississippi State University–Meridian continues to increase its presence in downtown Meridian, there has been a significant ripple effect throughout the community. The Riley Foundation continues to play an important role in reshaping and revitalizing downtown Meridian, with additional opportunities and initiatives to be announced in the coming months.
2026 Riley Foundation Summer Intern Program Participants: (Front Row) Anabelle Hodges, Lauren Boutwell, Haley Graham, Witten Cobb, Miles Grace Joyner, Meadow Smith, Emily Terrell (Back Row) Diamond Reed Manning, Caden Wade, Shelby Robison, Georgia Collins, Mary Frances White, Brandy Harvey, Laura Bell.
Pictured are students who participated in the 2026 Riley Foundation Summer Intern Program. This program was established in 2004 to provide resources to assist local non-profit organizations in hiring college students to accomplish special projects that further their mission. The program has since granted over $1.3M and paired more than 325 college students with various local non-profit organizations. Students gain knowledge about the non-profit sector and the important services they provide. To learn more about the Riley Summer Intern Program, please click here.
University leaders praised The Riley Foundation, which is contributing over $6 million to the nursing program and has demonstrated “tremendous commitment” in addressing educational and healthcare needs in the region. This philanthropic support, along with support from major hospitals and health systems in Meridian and surrounding communities, cemented the feasibility of MSU’s proposed accelerated program.
On January 20, The Riley Foundation celebrated 25 years of making significant investments in our community that have stimulated a renaissance of activity and energy, particularly in the heart of downtown Meridian.
By Terri Ferguson Smith, The Meridian Star
Plans for a 58,500-square-foot building to house the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Center (MAEC) have moved a step closer to fruition.
At a ceremony hosted by the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation on Wednesday, officials of The Riley Foundation announced that it would contribute $4 million towards construction of the $45 million center, which will represent the state's contributions to the arts and entertainment world.
Bob Deen, chairman of The Riley Foundation, said the MAEC will bring thousands of people to Meridian each year. "This is a good investment in education and economic development," Deen said.
Clay Holladay, MAEC board member, said the contribution from The Riley Foundation brings fundraising efforts a little more than halfway. "We're very pleased that we are on track. We've had great support locally and great support from our state government, the state legislature, and of course the governor and lieutenant governor as well," Holladay said. "Now we are going statewide with our campaign. So far, we are very optimistic about the progress we are making."
Located just off I-20 and close to I-59, the MAEC will be housed in a two-level structure totaling 58,500 square feet of space – including 22,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Other elements of the facility are a state-sanctioned Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame and Hollywood-style Walk of Fame, a gift shop, a broadcast studio, an art studio, a multi-purpose room, an outdoor stage and a courtyard which can also be used for programs.
"Mississippi is fortunate to have this beautiful facility that will educate people of all ages on Mississippi's outstanding home-grown talent," said Becky Farley, executive director of The Riley Foundation. "This is another win for Mississippi."
Mississippi State University-Meridian formally dedicated its new downtown campus, made possible by The Riley Foundation.
