The CPI Group Leadership

Our Leadership Team's backgrounds are as diverse as the clients we serve. The CPI Group leverages this diverse expertise, ranging from entrepreneurial business to the Fortune 500 organizations, to design business solutions to fit each of our client's unique business needs.

Mark Smith, President

Mark Smith became President of The CPI Group, Inc. in 1997 and in 1999 became the company's sole shareholder. Mark provides daily oversight of all operations for the company and a vision for strategic business development. Since his appointment to President, the company has grown by over 2500% and has received numerous awards. Most recently, The CPI Group has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America. The Inc. Magazine's Inc. 500 List is the premier and most widely recognized official ranking of fastest growing, privately held businesses in the country. In 2008, CPI was ranked third in growth of the privately held companies in the state of Mississippi by The Mississippi Business Journal in its Fast 40 Award Program. Other recognitions include the 2004 Mississippi Business Journal (MBJ) Small Business of the Year award, for which the company was recognized as a finalist in 2005 as well. Also in 2004, CPI received the Inaugural Governor's Cup recognizing CPI as the top small business in the state of Mississippi. It has also been named an MBJ Top 100 Privately Held Company three times since 2002.

Personally, Mark received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, was a Mississippi Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 recipient and was named a Golden Triangle Region Who's Who by the Commercial Dispatch. He was recognized in January of 2005 as the Small Business CEO of the Year among a handful of CEO's in the state of Mississippi at the 2005 Mississippi Business and Technology Expo. He was also a member of 2005 Mississippi Economic Council's Leadership Mississippi class in which he remains actively involved as a member of the Selection Committee for each year's class nominees. Additionally, he is a licensed real estate agent in Mississippi and is a partner in Glenwood Associates, LLC, a real estate development firm which is involved with various multi-family development ventures in Mississippi. In addition, Mark is the owner of Teufel Hunden Properties, LLC, a real estate development firm specializing in historical urban restorations and development. Mark is also the President of Vertex Construction Solutions, Inc. based in Columbus.

Mark attended the University of Maryland, and is a decorated U.S. Marine who served distinctively both stateside as well as in Southeast Asia. Injured in service, he is a disabled veteran and a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Mark currently serves as Honorary Squadron Commander for the 49th Fighter Training Squadron at the Columbus Air Force Base and is a member of the Columbus Air Force Base's Base Community Council. He is a current member of the Mississippi Economic Council's (MEC) Board of Governors and also, serves on the MEC's Leadership Mississippi Planning Committee and is the past Advisory Board Chairman and current board member for the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation-Ability Works. He is a past Chairman of the Board for Habitat for Humanity, a two-time Chairman for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk, was Secretary and then Vice Chair of the Executive Committee for the Board of Directors for the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, was a board member for the Columbus-Lowndes Economic Development Authority, as well as a board member for the Humane Society. Mark is currently a board member for the Columbus Lowndes Development Link's economic growth initiative, The Trust. He is also a Co-Chair for the northeast Mississippi Chapter of The Mississippi Center for Public Policy. In addition, Mark is involved with and supports a wide variety of Christian ministries including the Koinonia Emmaus Community of North Mississippi and Hope Family Ministries based in Tupelo, Mississippi. He also is a volunteer for Camp Rising Sun, a camp for children living in the tri-state area with cancer.

Mark enjoys boating, fishing and hunting, SCCA amateur road racing and attending collegiate sporting events.

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John McCall, Client Projects Manager

John, a native of Columbus, attended both Mississippi State University and the MUW before beginning his professional career. In 1990, he joined ServiceMaster Building Maintenance as an Area Manager. During his fifteen year career with ServiceMaster, he steadily rose through the ranks to become co-owner and Vice President of Operations. While with ServiceMaster, John specialized in recruiting and building outstanding management teams and developing marketing and customer retention programs. In 2005 John left ServiceMaster to pursue other interests. In the spring of 2007 he joined CPI as their Client Services Coordinator, bringing his marketing and recruiting experience to the CPI team. He is a national member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and serves as the Chair for Legislative Affairs for the Golden Triangle Human Resources Association. John's interests outside of work include scuba diving and a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles. He is a member of Annunciation Catholic Church and enjoys being a member of other civic programs.

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Laurie Hayden, Staffing & HR Consultant

Laurie Hayden joined the CPI Group team in April 2008 after 18 years of leadership in the airline industry. Laurie's experience includes directing the customer service and human resources strategies for 4500 employees; Laurie's diverse background is instrumental in the successful recruitment and placement of qualified candidates. Laurie also represents CPI in the local community at job fairs, conferences and promotional events. Laurie's passion for customer and client support serve CPI and the local community.

Laurie's leadership training includes working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding accident/incident investigation, Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with regulatory compliance, Weather Disruption Team, Emergency Deployment and Critical Incident Stress Management as well as Negotiations, Mediations and Customer Relations.

Laurie is an active supporter of the American Heart Association, Breast Cancer Awareness, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Challenge Air "Wings of Love." Laurie's the mother of three successful grown sons; she was brought to the local community through her husband Tom's employment with a local aerospace firm following his retirement from the United States Air Force and they reside in Columbus.

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Meagan Coughlin, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

Meagan joined the team in 2010 to share her experience in the area of business development, marketing, and public relations. A native of Starkville, Meagan attended Mississippi State University and became an alumna in August of 2004. She graduated with a degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations. Meagan served six years in the nonprofit sector before joining The CPI Group team. She began her career by completing a marketing/public relations internship with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and the Oktibbeha County Hospital.   After completing two internships in the nonprofit sector, Meagan decided to begin her career with the United Way of Lowndes County in April 2005.  Her experience ranges from fundraising, grant writing, media relations, special events coordination, volunteer recruitment and management. 

Meagan actively participates in the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) on both a local and state level.  She is the past president of the Golden Triangle Chapter and currently leads the state board of directors as the Vice President of Awards.  Other professional development duties include membership to the Professional Link Toastmasters Club where Meagan works to become a Distinguished Toastmaster recognized by Toastmasters International.  In 2009, Meagan completed a nine-month intensive leadership program, Leadership Lowndes County, offered by the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link.  Meagan also received the Dream 365 Unsung Hero Award in 2009 and the PRAM Golden Triangle Practitioner of the Year Award in 2006. Meagan is a member of the Base Community Council and supports the Columbus Air Force base with a variety of endeavors. In addition, she regularly volunteers with Main Street Columbus and LINK Young Professionals. 

Meagan enjoys traveling, volunteering, and networking at all levels.