Jackson – The Belhaven University Board of Trustees elected new members Sam Lane, Karen Taylor and Dr. Kevin Brown to the board. The new appointees bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the University’s leadership team. Sam Lane is Senior Vice President of First Commercial Bank and has over 40 years of experience with Jackson area banks that includes Deposit Guaranty National Bank and First Commercial Bank. His work in middle-market commercial and corporate lending has given him a firm standing in business and banking throughout the state of Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Mississippi in 1976. Currently, Lane is the vice chairman of the Wilson Research Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Methodist Rehabilitation Center. In addition, he sits on the Junior League of Jackson’s Keystone Fund board and has served on the Mississippi Kidney Foundation Board of Trustees since 1979. Karen Taylor is a volunteer and fundraiser for numerous Mississippi non-profits. A graduate of University of Mississippi, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing in 1986 and M.B.A. in 1987. She has an extensive background in community service and charity work throughout the state. Taylor has recently served on Jackson Prep’s Capital Campaign and on their global leadership program. She has volunteered for the annual Ovarian Cycle Jackson and has raised funds for Mississippi Industries for the Blind. Her board appointments include Junior League of Jackson, Gardner Simmons Home for Girls, Jackson Fiends of the Animal Shelter, Jackson Cancer League and the Symphony League. Dr. Kevin Brown currently serves as a faculty member at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He recently earned his Ph.D. in Urban Studies from University of New Orleans. He completed his psychology degree at Wheaton College and earned his Master of Social Work from University of Illinois. Prior to urban missions, Dr. Brown worked as a therapist and counselor with abusive families and authored several books. He has hosted his own talk shows and has appeared on radio and television, speaking about family issues. Dr. Brown served as the executive director of Trinity Christian Community, a Christian community development agency, for 16 years and was the chaplain for the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets for seven years.
