Mississippi Development Authority Department Directory

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The Mississippi Development Authority is dedicated to ensuring companies have the information they need to keep them on the road to success.

Expect neighborly, competent business guidance when you connect with us. That’s just how we do things in the Magnolia State.

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Our Departments

Minority & Small Business

MDA strives for economic development in Mississippi by connecting minority- and women-owned businesses with a strong network of support, educational resources, financial programs and technical assistance.

Contacts

Carol Harris
Director of Minority and Small Business
Joycie Lenoir
MS APEX Accelerator, Program Manager
Natalie Purvis
MS APEX Accelerator Advisor/Counselor-Meridian
Dr. Latonia Lewis
Business Development Program Manager; Community Liaison, Contractors Academy, Minority Participation Initiative
Cacynthia Patterson
Bid Clerk: Bids, Solicitations, Social Media
Gernika Collins
Certification Officer: Certifications, Loans, Marketing, Solicitations
Princess Hayes
MS APEX Accelerator Advisor/Counselor-Central MS
James Stanton
MS APEX Accelerator Advisor/Counselor-Southaven
Address:
501 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone:

601.359.3449

Entrepreneur Center

As a bureau within MDA’s Minority & Small Business Division, The Entrepreneur Center team fosters the spirit of entrepreneurialism throughout Mississippi. We help new and existing start-ups and entrepreneurs find the resources to build the skills they need for success.

Contacts

Joe Donovan
Director of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Nerissa Tripp
Minority Surety Bond, Minority Loan Program, Financial Analysis & Business Planning
Michael Harris
Business Start-up, Expansion, Planning & Training
Nash Nunnery
Business Start-up, Expansion, Planning & Training
Address:
501 North West Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
Phone:

601.359.3448

Business Research & Workforce Development

Our Business Research & Workforce Development team supports the state’s businesses by providing a variety of marketing, information and technical assistance programs to our Mississippi industries.

Contacts

Bill Ashley
Director of Business Research & Workforce Development
Deloise Tate
Research Specialist/New & Expanded Industry Reports
Address:
501 North West Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
Phone:

601.359.3593

Business Recruitment and Expansion

Contacts

Bill Cork
Chief Economic Development Officer
Joey Roberts
Project Manager
Gabriella Nuzzo
Project Manager
Jhai Keeton
Project Manager
Joseph Cambonga
Project Manager
TA Jones
Project Manager
Marc Measells
Project Manager
Hunter Gardner
Project Manager
Susie Robinson
Economic Development Specialist
Denise Stewart
Staff Officer - Executive

International Trade and Investment

The International Trade and Investment team provides Mississippi companies with business training and technical support to improve their international prospects. The team also sponsors a variety of international trade missions.

Contacts

Vickie Watters
Director of Trade
Luigi Dominighini
Latin American Trade Manager
Aggie Sikora
Canadian and European Trade Manager
Address:
501 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39201

Energy & Natural Resources

Our Energy & Natural Resources team works with companies across the state to ensure energy sector growth through energy efficiency programs and workforce development, energy projects and policy development and energy data and security.

Contacts

Jason Pope
Director of Energy and Natural Resources
Lisa Campbell
Energy Education & Workforce Manager, October Energy Awareness Month, Project NEED, Middle School Science Bowl, Regional Science Fairs Energy & Natural Resources
Michael Cooley
Energy Analyst
Gayle Sims
Bureau Manager Federal Reporting, Mississippi Industrial Energy Efficiency Program Energy & Natural Resources
Address:
501 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone:

601.359.3449

Community and Rural Development

The Community and Rural Development team strengthens communities by helping them identify, develop and promote their unique assets to enhance quality of life.

Contacts

Tim Climer
Manager of Programs & Services
Address:
501 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone:

601.359.3449

Community Incentives

The Community Incentives team works to create strong, vibrant communities by assisting with loan and grant qualifications and public infrastructure repair and improvement.

Contacts

Steve Hardin
Director of Community Incentives
Peggy Knott
Administrative Assistant
Lisa Maxwell
Bureau Manager
Tange Bozeman
Program Manager
Erin Hovanec
Bureau Manager
Carolyn McKinney
Program Manager
Tammie Lawrence
Program Manager
Frednia Perkins
Program Manager
Caleb Prine
Program Manager
Jacquelum M Allen
Program Manager
Tammy Shaffer
Program Manager
Address:
501 North West Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone:

601.359.3179

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