Exceptional entrepreneurship lands Nick and Ann King, David Garner, MC’s Order of the Golden Arrow
Nick ‘05 and Ann King ’05 were about to board a plane headed to Zimbabwe, Africa, for a month-long family ministry trip when they spotted a group of friends coming up an airport elevator and holding a sign that said “Congratulations.”
That’s how Nick, CEO and founder of American Irrigation and president and founder of Gracewater, and Ann, a former teacher and vice president of Gracewater, discovered they had been selected to receive the Order of the Golden Arrow at MC’s 2025 Homecoming festivities.
“Nick and Ann exemplify the very best of what it means to be Mississippi College alumni,” said Jake Donald, ±«Óătvdirector of alumni and family engagement. “Through their faith, leadership and lifelong commitment to serving others, they have represented ±«Óătvwith excellence in both their personal and professional lives.
“Honoring them with the Order of the Golden Arrow award is not only a celebration of their remarkable accomplishments and their heart for ministry, but also a reflection of the lasting Kingdom impact they continue to make on those around them.”
David Garner’s ’92 response to also being selected for the Order of the Golden Arrow at ±«Óătvwas subdued. When ±«ÓătvPresident Blake Thompson and ±«Óătvspecial assistant to the president and legendary basketball Coach Mike Jones notified him of the award, Garner had no desire to be acknowledged for the many ways he has supported his alma mater.
That, according to longtime friend Rob Oates, is in keeping with how the owner and general manager of Traffic Control Products in Brandon approaches life.
“David lives his life in a way that glorifies Jesus through what he does,” Oates said. “David understands that all he has, really, is Jesus’ and not his. He has been entrusted to be a good steward of it.
“David has a heart to share the Gospel with as many people as he can. He does not do things for earthly awards. He is focused on storing up his treasure in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
The trio is scheduled to receive the honor during the annual National Alumni Association Awards Brunch at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Anderson Hall on the second floor of the B.C. Rogers Student Center as part of MC’s 2025 Homecoming festivities.
The Order of the Golden Arrow honors individuals, alumni or friends of the University who have made outstanding personal or professional achievements in their professions, businesses or careers. It recognizes exceptional performance or leadership beyond the ordinary.
That describes the Kings’ life’s work. Ann, a Yazoo City native, and Nick, born in Lexington, met through a mutual friend at ±«Óătvfreshman orientation and married before their senior year of college. Throughout their courtship and marriage, the couple shared a heart for missions.
Nick grew up immersed in his family’s agricultural consulting business and developed a love of agriculture. When the couple graduated from MC, Nick rejoined his family’s business before launching a consulting company and developing a successful agriculture remote management device called PrecisionKing.
Shortly afterward, the Kings began a ministry called Gracewater, a non-profit missions organization that focuses on spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ while also addressing the global water crisis. Gracewater drills wells and provides clean water to those with little or no access to it, primarily in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
“Since water is life, and water is so scarce (in Zimbabwe), it is an amazing tool to connect people to the Living Water that is only in Christ,” Ann said.
Later, the Kings began another branch of Gracewater called Grace Institute, where they teach, lead and disciple a group of 18- to 20-year-old orphaned men on their farm in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In late 2024, Nick embarked on a new business venture by merging two flourishing irrigation dealers in South Georgia to create American Irrigation, which has grown to six locations throughout Georgia and Florida. The Kings also founded Jitney Pharmacy, with locations in their hometowns of Lexington and Yazoo City.
±«Óătvconnections run deep with the Kings and their work. Last summer, a group of their closest friends from college traveled to Zimbabwe to drill a water well for a community and to share the Gospel.
“What’s even better is they brought their children to do missions as a family,” Ann said. “Because of their Christian walk and the leadership opportunities given by ±«Óătvand the environment we chose to be in at MC, we can share in a deep, transparent and faith-filled relationship that only comes from the Lord.”
Nick said the lifelong friendships and relationships the couple made at ±«Óătvhave been a foundation of their entrepreneurial success.
“My experience at ±«Óătvwas one of the sweetest seasons of my life,” he said. “The friends that I made have been the people that I do life with and celebrate the highs and lows with.
“Ann and I want all the glory to go to God. My hope is the younger generation at ±«Óătvwill be encouraged. Ann and I were once right in their shoes as students. We want them to do exceptional things for the Kingdom of God.”
As a National Merit finalist, Garner attended ±«Óătvon a full academic scholarship. He still treasures the relationship he developed with his mathematics professor, Dr. John McMath – himself the recipient of MC’s 2025 Award of Excellence – and his wife, Charlotte.
“Over the years, the financial support my wife and I have given ±«Óătv– and specifically the golf program – was done to honor them and what they were doing at the University,” Garner said. “As I have gotten older, the need of getting the Gospel to all the nations has become more and more of a priority to my wife and me. At the dedication of the golf facility named in honor of the McMaths, we were surrounded by student-athletes from several different countries.
“I saw then how even athletics could be used to further the spread of the Gospel.”
Upon graduating from MC, Garner went on to run what childhood friend Montgomery Hinton called “one of the most successful businesses in Mississippi.” But Garner didn’t forget his roots.
“He was always willing to give more to his community than his community requires or needs,” Hinton said. “He has set an example of how being successful does not mean that one forgoes helping others.
“By recognizing David, Mississippi College is showcasing to all current and incoming students what each one of them could become by not only enrolling in MC, but exceeding the standards expected of each of them.”
Garner’s standards include living the message of Psalm 115:1: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
“My wife and I love giving, but have no desire to receive any acknowledgement for what we do,” Garner said. “The joy for us is in trying to be good stewards of the resources for which God has given us responsibility.
“God getting glory is what we want.”
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