Gwen James hopes to see steady development and growth for Hattiesburg

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - If you’re active in the Hattiesburg community you’ve probably met, worked with, or heard of Gwen James. She has worked in the real estate business for over 40 years. Today she is the co-owner of Coldwell Banker Don Nace Incorported and serves on several organizations and business boards.

“I think that God just tenderized my heart over the years through life events, it makes me see and understand people’s needs. When you have a family as large as I do and live as long as I have, you have a lot of experience that gives you an opportunity to see needs," Gwen James explained in her office.

Her grandparents taught her to give back to the community and her late husband taught her how to share.

“If everyone gives a little bit back, it continues to grow and it creates a sustainable quality of life for others. You want to build for the future generations its not just about us, its about those who are coming behind us,”

As a former charter board member for Habitat of Humanity, she said HOH is a prime example of giving and hard work.

“I love that one because it’s not a give me, or a take from the community. Those people have sweat equity and have put in to it, and helped others get their homes. Those people are so proud. You’re building something that they have and their children have and it creates a pride of ownership,”

James has serviced the community for decades because she loves Hattiesburg and with 2018 around the corner she wishes to see development continue.

“We have a wonderful base. I think we are in the middle of the most exciting things that are happening now, which is the development of Midtown. It’s going to be a walk-able, sustainable feature with the hotel and people will flock to that.”

She presently serves as a trustee for the foundation of First Baptist Church, the Foundation of ADP and serves on the board of directors of the Forrest General Healthcare Foundation.