JACKSON, Miss.—The Board of Governors of the Wilson Research Foundation, the fundraising arm of Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, announced today the election of three new board members: Sam Lane and Dick Molpus of Jackson, and John D. (Dave) Robinson of Ridgeland.
Ginny Wilson Mounger, chairman of the foundation’s board of governors, stated, “We are very pleased to announce these additions to our outstanding board – Sam, Dick and Dave bring tremendous experience and energy to our foundation as we look to expand our fundraising to enable Methodist Rehab Center to help more people and in more significant ways.”
Since its formation in 1989, the Wilson Foundation has given more than $1.7 million to Methodist in grants for its growing neuroscience and neurological rehabilitation research program. While continuing to focus on research, the foundation is expanding to become the fundraising arm for additional unfunded or under-funded needs at Methodist.
Sam Lane is senior vice president of First Commercial Bank in Jackson. FCB, created in 2000 by Lane and other experienced banking executives, provides personal, relationship-based services to businesses and professionals. Lane has 32 years of banking experience, including 17 years with Deposit Guaranty National Bank where he served as senior vice president of commercial banking. He serves on the boards of directors for the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, the Neighborhood Christian Center and the Mississippi Kidney Foundation.
Dick Molpus is President of The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC (MWG), a timberland investment firm based in Jackson with more than 734,000 acres under management. Prior to founding MWG in 1996, Molpus enjoyed a distinguished career in public service. In 1980, he was Governor William Winter's first staff appointee, and he subsequently was elected for three consecutive terms as Secretary of State of Mississippi. Molpus, along with his wife, Sally, were the founders of Parents for Public Schools, which now has 25 chapters across the U.S. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Economic Council, which is the state chamber of commerce. In 2005, he was honored as an inductee into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame.
John David (Dave) Robinson of Ridgeland recently retired as vice president of strategic planning for L-3 Vertex Aerospace. Previous to this position, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Major General after a brilliant, 33-year career. Robinson is a key lay leader in the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, and serves as chairman of the United Methodist Foundation of Mississippi. He is a sought-after strategic planner and keynote speaker on topics ranging from church budgeting, capital campaigns, stewardship and planned giving.
The Wilson Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was named for the late Earl R. Wilson, founding chairman of the board of trustees for the hospital, and his wife Martha Lyles Wilson, honoring their decades of service to help disabled Mississippians.
The foundation's board of governors includes: Ginny Wilson Mounger (chair), Richard Fountain (vice chair and treasurer), Sharon Woodfield (secretary), Sally Carmichael, Matthew Holleman III, Ed Kossman, Sam Lane, Mary Ann McCarty, Dean Miller, Dick Molpus, Dave Robinson, Nat Rogers, Steve Sansom, Robert Smith (MD), Faser Triplett (MD), Martha Lyles Wilson, Marion Wofford (MD), Chris Blount, executive director (ex officio); Mark Adams, MRC president and CEO (ex officio)
Methodist Rehabilitation Center is one of only two hospitals in Mississippi accepted into the prestigious Council of Teaching Hospitals and the only hospital in the state to be named one of America’s best by US News and World Report.