EXECUTIVE Article 5 and Article 6 of the Constitution of 1890 authorize the duties and responsibilities of the statewide elected officials.

Governor ...... 77. Lieutenant Governor ...... 78 Secretary of State ...... 80 Attorney General ...... 82 State Auditor ...... 83 State Treasurer ...... 85 Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce ...... 86 Commissioner of Insurance ...... 88 Public Service Commissioners Central District ...... 89 Southern District ...... 89 Northern District ...... 90. Transportation Commissioners Central District ...... 91 Southern District ...... 92 Northern District ...... 92. Public Service Commission and Transportation Commission District Map . . 94 EXECUTIVE

been announced along with $5 2. billion in new investments . He is also an avid outdoorsman and is a longtime member of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action . Gov . Bryant and his wife, First Lady of Mississippi Deborah Bryant, have two adult children, Katie Bryant Snell and Patrick Bryant, and are active members of St . Marks United Methodist Church in Brandon . Duties: The Governor is the Chief Executive Officer of the state, charged with executive direction and supervision of the general administration of the State . In this capacity, he or she sees that the laws are faithfully executed, supervises the official conduct of executive officers, acts as commander-in-chief of the state militia, and appoints officials as prescribed by law . The Governor is responsible for the presentation of a balanced budget to the Legislature and approval or veto of legislation Governor passed by the Legislature . He or she may call extraordinary sessions of the Legislature when he or she deems it necessary, and may issue pardons, Phil Bryant was sworn in for his second term executive orders, and extraditions of fugitives as Mississippi’s 64th governor on January 12, from other states . 2016 . Before becoming the state’s chief executive, The office provides staff assistance and liaison Bryant was lieutenant governor from 2008-2011 . in all areas of state government administration He also served as state auditor and represented and researches agency programs and policies . his legislative district in the Mississippi House of A number of officers are appointed by the Representatives for five years . Governor . Among these are the Adjutant The son of Dewey C . and Estelle R . Bryant, a General, the Commissioner of Public Safety, and diesel mechanic and a mother who stayed home the chief executive officers of the departments with her three boys, Bryant learned early the value of Banking and Consumer Finance, Mississippi of hard work and the importance of education . Development Authority, Environmental Quality, The Moorhead native earned an associate’s and the State Tax Commission . The Governor degree in criminal justice from Hinds Community also appoints members to numerous executive College and completed his bachelor’s degree and administrative boards and commissions at the University of Southern Mississippi . He who, in turn, appoint executive officers to holds a master’s degree in political science from the departments they lead . Some of these Mississippi College, and before assuming his role departments are Finance and Administration, as governor, Bryant served as an adjunct professor Health, Corrections, Education, and the State of government there . Personnel Board . Gov . Bryant began his career as a deputy sheriff The Governor serves a term of four years and in Hinds County and later worked as an insurance may be re-elected for an additional term . Miss . investigator before being elected to the House of Const . 1890, Article 5, §§ 116-125 . Miss . Code Representatives in 1991 . In 1996, then Gov . Kirk Ann . § 7-1-1 et seq . (1972) . Fordice appointed him state auditor, a position he was re-elected to in 1999 and 2003 . Contact Information: As governor, Phil Bryant has led Mississippi in Office of the Governor implementing transformational public education P .O . Box 139 reforms, promoting economic development Jackson, MS 39205 and building a competitive business climate (601) 359-3150 that attracts major employers like Yokohama governor@governor .ms .gov Tire Corporation and Continental Tire . Under www .governorbryant .com Gov . Bryant’s administration, 27,518 jobs have 77 EXECUTIVE

He supported helping job creators increase investment in their businesses by reducing the unemployment tax rate and boosting investment in workforce training at community and junior colleges . The Legislature also made the state more competitive in a global marketplace by allowing businesses to claim a tax credit on inventory held in the state, which will encourage companies to invest more capital in creating jobs . Legislators also reformed the state’s workers’ compensation law to ensure a fairer and impartial relationship between the worker and employer with provisions to better define the employee’s choice of physician, implement stronger measures against workplace drug and alcohol use and increase certain benefits . The changes boost Mississippi’s reputation as a place to do business and strengthen the state’s right-to-work policies .

Lieutenant Governor Strengthening Education Mississippi made record investments in education spending and enacted reforms to save Re-elected in 2015 as Mississippi’s Lieutenant money, strengthen achievement, and clearly Governor, Tate Reeves stands ready to guide communicate school performance . the state toward a brighter future by improving Reeves successfully advocated for more educational achievement for students, supporting transparent school district ratings, which led to the creation of high-skilled jobs and responsibly a new grading system for schools based on A, B, managing taxpayers’ money . C, D and F . Reeves leads the 52-member Senate with a The first steps toward school choice were focus on keeping government spending under taken with the creation of public charter schools control, reforming education and making and scholarships for students with special needs . Mississippi a better place to raise a family . Reeves fought to boost the state’s literacy rate Under his leadership, Mississippi has a with legislation to end social promotion of balanced budget that spends more on education students who cannot read at grade level . and adequately funds other priorities while After decades of legislators talking about reducing taxpayers’ overall debt burden . school district consolidation, Reeves took action by pushing for administrative consolidation, significantly reducing the number of districts in Supporting Job Creation The Legislature approved several measures Mississippi . to make Mississippi an even better place to do The Education Commission of the States business . Reeves believes government should awarded Mississippi the 2016 Frank Newman create an environment to encourage the private Award for State Innovation for these sector to create more jobs . transformational reforms to improve In an effort to make the state’s tax policy student learning . flatter and fairer, he proposed the largest tax cut in state history through the Taxpayer Pay Working for Transparent Government Raise Act, which lowers the personal income He fought for transparency for how agencies tax; allows for self-employed Mississippians to spend taxpayers’ dollars . Agencies are now increase deductions; and eliminates the corporate required to post budget requests on the legislative franchise tax . Under the plan adopted by the budget website and disclose each source of Legislature, every taxpayer will see a tax cut . revenue . Stronger reporting requirements were 78 EXECUTIVE placed on taxpayer-funded incentive programs . Achievement Award from the U .S . Chamber Reeves secured a commitment from the Institute for Legal Reform for passage of the Department of Finance and Administration and Attorney General “Sunshine Act ”. He was the State Personnel Board to develop statewide named Legislator of the Year by the Mississippi contracts for services, not just commodities, Municipal League in 2012 . which will help state agencies take advantage of Previously, Reeves was elected as Mississippi’s bulk purchasing power and reduce costs . 53rd Treasurer in 2003 and re-elected to a second He pushed the passage of the Attorney General term four years later with 61 percent of the vote, “Sunshine Act,” which requires an open and the highest percentage of any candidate running transparent process for awarding legal contracts . for statewide office . He was the first Republican The boards of public hospitals, which are and youngest treasurer in the state’s history . supported by taxpayer dollars, are required to Reeves has been named a “Rising Star(s) in operate in the sunlight so employees, patients the Republican Party” by Rising Tide magazine and taxpayers can monitor the fiscal management – the publication of the Republican National of the facilities . Committee . He also was selected by the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowships in Public Enhancing Mississippi Values Leadership as one of the “Top Young Elected Reeves pushed several measures to strengthen Officials” to its Fourth Class of Aspen-Rodel public safety and make Mississippi a safe place Fellows . Reeves was recognized by his NAST to raise a family . The Legislature has passed peers as the recipient of the Jesse M . Unruh laws to allow for the prosecution of attempted Award which recognized his outstanding service murder and to closely monitor sex offenders to the association, the profession and to his state . using GPS devices . He is committed to protecting Reeves is a Rankin County native and a Mississippians’ Second Amendment Rights by graduate of Florence High School . He is an supporting laws to reduce the cost of concealed honors graduate of Millsaps College and holds carry permits and clarify the limits on the ability a bachelor’s degree in economics . Reeves has of cities and counties to restrict the carrying continued to be an active alumnus and remains of firearms . involved with his alma mater by serving as a Several new laws protect the state’s most member of the investment policy board for the vulnerable citizens – children . Reeves’ initiative Millsaps College General Louis Wilson Fund and to help school districts hire trained law a member the Advisory Committee of the Else enforcement for campus protection will place School of Management . more officers in schools . The Child Protection Reeves holds the Chartered Financial Analyst Act requires health care professionals, members designation (CFA) and is a member of the CFA of the clergy, educators, child care providers and Society of Mississippi and the CFA Institute, an law enforcement to report cases of suspected organization that leads the investment industry child abuse . Also, the Legislature has taken steps by setting the highest standards of ethics and to protect the health of the mother by requiring professional excellence . In 1996, he was the doctors performing abortion to have admitting recipient of the Mississippi Society of Financial privileges at a local hospital and prohibiting Analysts Award . abortions after 20 weeks . Reeves and his wife Elee Williams Reeves, a Tylertown native, are the proud parents of Public Service Recognition three daughters, Sarah Tyler, Elizabeth Magee Reeves is past chairman of the Republican and Madeline Tate . The Reeves family attends Lieutenant Governors Association . He was Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church . named one of the top 40 politicians under 40 Duties: In addition to the Governor, the by The Washington Post . He is a member of Mississippi Constitution makes provision for the inaugural Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows a Lieutenant Governor who acts as president program focused on education issues . Reeves was of the state Senate . The Lieutenant Governor named a 2013 Charter Champion by the National presides over the Senate, rules on points of order, Alliance for Public Charter Schools . appoints standing committees of the Senate, Reeves received the 2012 State Legislative appoints all select and conference committees as

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ordered by the Senate, and refers all bills . He or and honest elections in Mississippi . As Chief she serves as a member of the Senate Rules and Elections Officer for the State of Mississippi, Joint Legislative Budget Committees, votes only Secretary Hosemann has led a crusade against in cases of ties, speaks from the floor while the those who would cast ballots illegally . In an Senate is in Committee of the Whole, and signs effort to protect voters’ rights and increase all finally approved bills and resolutions . transparency, the Secretary of State’s Office The Lieutenant Governor serves a term of now dispatches observers in the State during four years and may be re-elected for an additional elections and issues a Report on Elections to the term . Miss . Const . 1890, Article 5, §§ 128-132, State Legislature and the public on their findings . and 136 . Miss . Code Ann . §§ 5-1-13, 5-1-43, and Secretary Hosemann also twice led the successful 5-1-47 (1972) . Legislative redistricting fight in the United States Supreme Court . Contact Information: Since the June 3 Primary Election in 2014, Office of the Lieutenant Governor every Mississippian who votes at the polls, is P .O . Box 1018 required to present an acceptable form of photo Jackson, MS 39215 identification before casting a regular ballot . (601) 359-3200/f(601) 359-4045 To date, Mississippi is one of the only states to ltgov@senate ms. .gov implement Voter ID without federal intervention www .ltgovreeves ms. .gov or litigation, saving millions in taxpayer dollars . Through an award-winning voter education campaign, Secretary Hosemann reached Mississippians statewide to educate voters on the new requirement . A military veteran of the United States Army Reserves, Secretary Hosemann’s commitment to military voting was recognized by the U S. . Department of Defense, which invited him in 2015 to join a delegation of Secretaries of State to remote areas of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait to insure the military voting process . Mississippi was the first state in the Nation to allow online voting for our servicemen and women . As a business lawyer and small business owner, Secretary Hosemann realizes the importance of economic development in our State . His goal is to make Mississippi the most business-friendly state in the Nation, particularly for small businesses . As part of his overall Business Reform Plan, Secretary Hosemann facilitates business reform study groups to Secretary of State revamp how Mississippi attracts, retains, and encourages businesses . Through various business reform proposals to the Legislature, Mississippi The Honorable Delbert Hosemann has served now has the leading Securities, Charities, and as Mississippi’s Secretary of State since January Limited Liability Company laws in the nation . 2008 and is now in his third term in office . Secretary Hosemann’s landmark recommendation A true fiscal conservative, Secretary Hosemann on trademark laws received global recognition has operated the Agency millions of dollars under by the International Trademark Association . appropriation since taking office by streamlining Secretary Hosemann also drafted the nation’s operations while emphasizing high premier Athlete Agents Act which governs sports quality service . agents in Mississippi . Dedicated to ensuring the integrity of your In October 2015, the Secretary of State’s Office vote, Secretary Hosemann is committed to fair launched Y’all Business, a website which set the 80 EXECUTIVE national standard for economic and business Secretary Hosemann was Chairman of the information provided by any State . The Agency Board of Mississippi Blood Services, Treasurer was awarded the Esri 2016 SAG award for Y’all of the Jackson Medical Mall Association, and Business . In January 2016, the Agency initiated served on the Board of Directors for Jackson Mississippi BOSS, another pro-business website, State University Development Foundation . He is designed for prospective business owners to start a member of the North Jackson Rotary Club and and register their business in Mississippi . was a Paul Harris Fellow . Some of his accolades The Secretary of State also serves as State include the George L . Phillips Community Land Commissioner . After taking office, Service Award from the U .S . Department of Secretary Hosemann fulfilled a campaign promise Justice for his efforts in the Hurricane Katrina to post all 16th Section leases on the Agency’s First Responder Assistance Project . He was website . This posting enables school boards to awarded the J . Tate Thigpen Award for make sound financial decisions when determining exemplary leadership, support, and commitment lease amounts and gives Mississippians greater to the American Red Cross . In addition, Secretary access to public hunting lands . Because of Hosemann was awarded the Secretary Hosemann’s commitment to reforming Freedom Award by the NRA for his support of 16th Section land practices, revenue generated the Second Amendment . Secretary Hosemann from these lands has increased by more than $30 also served as Chairman of the Republican million since Secretary Hosemann took office to Secretaries of State Association . more than $80 million per year . This money goes In his spare time, Secretary Hosemann is an directly back to the hands of Mississippi avid hunter and jogger . He is a lifetime member school children . of the National Rifle Association, and belongs Funds generated from tidelands leases and to Delta Wildlife Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, assessments have also reached record amounts and the Mississippi Wildlife Federation . He has under Secretary Hosemann’s leadership . In 2012, completed both the New York Marathon and more than $9 million was generated to ensure the Boston Marathon, represented Mississippi public access to our Coastal areas . In addition, in the Senior Olympics, and completed every a $1 million donation was made to the State of Mississippi Blues Half Marathon . Mississippi for the acquisition and preservation A Warren County native, Secretary of tidelands . In 2013, Secretary Hosemann Hosemann comes to the Secretary of State’s Office obtained funding from a coalition of state, with a background in Business and Taxation federal, and international sources to purchase Law . He earned a bachelor’s degree in business more than 200 acres of Cat Island located off the from Notre Dame University, a Juris Doctorate Mississippi Coast . After years of negotiation, from the University of Mississippi School of Secretary Hosemann finalized the acquisition Law, and a Masters of Laws in Taxation from of an additional 492 acres of Cat Island in 2016 . New York University . He is a former partner of No State funds were expended in acquiring the Phelps Dunbar, LLP and was selected to the Best land, which will be maintained in its natural state Lawyers in America for 18 consecutive years . for future generations . In 2014, federal funding Secretary Hosemann has been married to his and private donations were used to purchase wife Lynn for 46 years . They are extremely proud the Baldwin Property, which is 2,485 .5 acres of of their three children: Kristen, Chad, and Mark; ecologically sensitive habitat located at the mouth and grandchildren Grace, Nora Lynn, Carson, of the Pearl River in Hancock County . Again, no and Charlie . State dollars were used to purchase this property . Duties: The Secretary of State directs a The Secretary of State also successfully service and information agency with major recovered more than $200 million for investors in statutory functions: administration of the a nationwide settlement agreement in a securities Mississippi Corporation Law, the Uniform lawsuit initiated by the State of Mississippi . Commercial Code, the Uniform Securities Because of his involvement in complex securities Law, and the Elections Code; administration issues, the National Association of Secretaries of and supervision of the 16th Section School State tapped Secretary Hosemann to Co-Chair Trust Lands, the Tidelands Trust, lieu lands, the organization’s Committee on Securities . and tax-forfeited property; and issuance of

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documents and publications of the state, children . He works tirelessly to prevent children including those for the executive and legislative from being abused and exploited, and to rescue branches; investigation of charity and securities those who have already fallen prey to those who fraud; enforcement of campaign finance and do them harm . He founded the nation’s leading lobbyist reporting requirements . Issuing notary Cyber Crime Unit and Fusion Center . Based in the commissions, registering correspondence schools, Attorney General’s office, the Cyber Crime Fusion administering the state’s trademark and service Center is the hub from which state, federal, and mark laws, service of process, and administering local agencies investigate and prosecute internet the Administrative Procedures Act are other predators who target children and vulnerable responsibilities . The Constitution also designates adults . the Secretary of State as the “keeper of As a prosecutor, Attorney General Hood the Capitol .” tried more than 100 jury cases while serving as The Secretary of State is elected to a four-year District Attorney . He successfully prosecuted term and may be re-elected . Miss . Const . 1890, several historic cases, including the prosecution Article 5 §§ 133 and 136 . Miss . Code Ann . § 7-3-1 and conviction of Edgar Ray Killen for the 1964 et seq . (1972) . murders of three civil rights workers . As District Attorney, he also successfully prosecuted death Contact Information: penalty cases, including one which he originally Office of the Secretary of State won a conviction, and later, as Attorney General, 401 Mississippi Street argued and won an appeal of the case before the P .O . Box 136, Jackson 39205 United States Supreme Court . (601) 359-1350 As Attorney General, Hood has established www .sos .ms gov. a Vulnerable Adults Unit, a Bureau of Victim Assistance to include a Domestic Violence Unit, an Identity Theft Unit, and a Crime Prevention and Victims Services Division to better protect Mississippians . He has launched initiatives to prevent workplace and school violence, and stalking and domestic assault . General Hood has developed and distributed numerous publications to assist and educate both consumers and other public service entities in areas such as cybercrime, consumer protection, domestic violence, human trafficking, victim’s assistance, election, and government law . After Hurricane Katrina ravaged Mississippi, bringing with it unscrupulous opportunists who victimized citizens, Hood worked to strengthen laws to protect consumers, while ceaselessly prosecuting offender’s cases of home repair fraud, price gouging, identity theft, and financial scams . He has recovered more than $860 million for Mississippi taxpayers from large corporate violators . Attorney General Hood has also placed emphasis on protecting the utility ratepayers of Mississippi by ensuring that public utilities that hold monopolies on power As Attorney General of Mississippi, Jim Hood operate with the utmost transparency so that is an aggressive prosecutor and dedicated public consumers are not overcharged . Attorney General servant who is committed to protecting the Hood will continue to fight for better protection citizens of our state and to making Mississippi a for children, senior citizens and consumers in safer place to live . General Hood is a passionate Mississippi . advocate for crime victims and a champion of 82 EXECUTIVE

Attorney General Hood served as President of chosen because of legal talents or other skills . the National Association of Attorneys General thru The major duties, divisions, and sections of this June 2015 . Hood’s NAAG leadership initiative, office are Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation, “Protecting our Digital Lives: New Challenges for Consumer Protection, Crime Prevention Victim Attorneys General” brought national attention Services, Medicaid Fraud, Opinions and Local to online dangers that threaten the financial and Government, Prosecutors Training, Public personal information of consumers as well as Integrity, and State Agencies . the importance of intellectual property rights . The Attorney General is elected to a four-year Hood spearheaded a national emphasis with other term and may be re-elected . Miss . Const . 1890, Attorneys General on hazardous counterfeit Article 6, § 173 . Miss . Code Ann . § 7-5-1 et products, cyber initiatives, and child protective seq . (1972) . programs . Attorney General Hood serves on the Executive Committee as well as Co-Chair Contact Information: of both the Law Enforcement and Prosecutorial Office of the Attorney General Relations and Gaming Committees of the National P . O . Box 220 Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) . Jackson, MS 39205-0220 Now serving a fourth term in office, Attorney (601) 359-3860/f(601) 359-3796 General Hood serves on the National Board of www .agjimhood .com Directors for: The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; The Jason Foundation, a youth suicide prevention program; The National Association of Model State Drug Laws; and as a Non-Regional Director for the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) . The office boasts numerous federal partnerships with agencies to include the U S. . Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the FBI Public Corruption Working Group, the Office of Inspector General Social Security Administration Cooperative Disability Investigative Unit, the Food & Drug Administration Task Force, and the Homeland Security Task Force . Hood received his J .D . from the University of Mississippi in December 1988 . After graduation he served as a clerk with the Mississippi Supreme Court, as an Assistant Attorney General for five years, and as District Attorney for the Third Judicial District for eight years . He was educated in the public schools of Chickasaw County . He is a fifth generation Mississippian and an avid outdoorsman and hunter . He and his wife, Debbie, State Auditor have three children—Rebecca, Matthew, and Annabelle . Duties: The Attorney General is the chief legal Elected as Mississippi’s 41st State Auditor officer and advisor for the State with responsibility on November 6, 2007, Stacey Pickering was to serve as lawyer for the State, its public officials, re-elected to his third term in November 2015 and governmental agencies . The Attorney General receiving over 65 percent of the vote in the has the sole power under Mississippi law to bring General Election . Since taking office, Auditor or defend a lawsuit on behalf of the State . He or Pickering has recovered more than $25 million she is also empowered to act as counsel to state in embezzled, misappropriated and misspent agencies and to defend them or bring suit on their taxpayer money on behalf of Mississippians . Over behalf, either in person or through assistants . 1,250 cases have been investigated resulting in The Attorney General employs a staff of 39 public or elected officials being removed from attorneys, investigators, and office personnel, office because of OSA investigations, and over 83 EXECUTIVE

169 individuals have pled guilty or been found the nation during its first year . In 2004, he was guilty by a jury of their peers with 69 individuals named Legislator of the Year by the Mississippi awaiting trial . Association of Realtors . Throughout his career, Pickering has made Pickering is a seventh-generation tremendous strides in improving accountability Mississippian . He was raised on the family dairy and transparency in government and continues farm in the Hebron community of Jones County . to promote fiscal responsibility . Pickering is A National 4-H scholarship winner, Pickering committed to providing resources, education and graduated from West Jones High School and evaluation for local and state governments to went on to Jones County Junior College . He create a more efficient and performance-oriented earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Samford government in Mississippi . Under his guidance, University in Birmingham, Ala ., and a Master’s the Performance Audit Division has conducted Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological 447 audits and reports highlighting opportunity Seminary in 1993 . for greater efficiency and effectiveness in Pickering and his wife, Whitney, live in government . Laurel with their four children . They are active Under his leadership, the State Auditor’s members of First Baptist Church of Laurel, Office has earned accolades from the where they teach Sunday School and he serves Government Accountability Office (GAO) of as a deacon . They have served as past Presidents the United States for setting an example of best of their children’s school PTO and volunteer for practices for the expenditure of one-time federal the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art . Pickering is funds as a result of the American Recovery and a Mason, former volunteer firefighter, member Reinvestment Act (ARRA) . In 2014, Auditor of the National Rifle Association and Sigma Nu Pickering received the David M . Walker Award Fraternity . He serves on the Board of the Pine for excellence in accountability from GAO . In Burr Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America June 2012, Pickering was honored with the and is a member of the Mississippi Air National National State Auditor’s Association’s “National Guard with the 186th AOG . Excellence in Accountability Award” for his Duties: The State Auditor is responsible for work on ARRA accountability and oversight, auditing state agencies, county governments, the first time Mississippi has ever received the school districts, community and junior colleges award . In addition, the Department of Defense and universities; conducting investigations recognized him in 2009 and again in 2013 with a into abuse of public funds and violations of Patriot Award for his extraordinary support of its law; providing best practices for all public employees who serve in the Mississippi National offices of regional and local subdivisions of the Guard and Reserve . state, systems of accounting, budgeting and Pickering currently serves on the Domestic reporting financial facts relating to said offices Working Group for the Office of the Comptroller in conformity with legal requirements and General of the United States . He also serves with generally accepted accounting principles; on the Executive Committee for the National conducting inventory audits of all state property; Association of State Auditors and will serve as and auditing the quality of data and data controls National Chairman in 2017 . in public schools . Prior to serving as State Auditor, Pickering The State Auditor is elected to a four-year was elected to the in term and may be re-elected . Miss . Const . 1890, 2003 to represent District 42 in Jones County . Article 5, § § 113, 115, 134, and 136 . Miss . Code As Senator, he served as Chairman of the Ann . § 7-7-1, et seq . (1972) . Local and Private Committee and Chairman of Enrolled Bills Committee . The American Contact Information: Legislative Exchange Council named him to the Office of the State Auditor national policy task forces on Transportation and P .O . Box 956 Homeland Security . Pickering helped organize Jackson, MS 39205 the Mississippi Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus, (601) 576-2800/f(601) 576-2650 serving as founding Co-Chairman, and under auditor@osa ms. .gov his leadership, this group passed more pro- www .osa .ms gov. hunting legislation than any other caucus in 84 EXECUTIVE

state agencies . She was also in private practice as a bond lawyer with a focus on general and municipal bonds . In 2009, Lynn was selected by Governor to serve as Executive Director of the Mississippi State Personnel Board . Prior to leading MSPB, Lynn served as Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs at the Mississippi Department of Employment Security . She served as Counsel for the Mississippi House of Representatives Ways and Means and Local and Private Legislation Committees, as well . She has just completed two terms as Vice President for the Southern Region for the National Association of State Treasurers, and was recently elected National Chair of the State Financial Officers Foundation . Lynn was a 2015 Honoree of the Women in Government Leadership Program by Governing Magazine . The Mississippi Women Lawyers State Treasurer Association selected her as the Outstanding Woman Lawyer of 2012, and the Mississippi Bar Association named her a Mississippi Bar Lynn Fitch was sworn in as Mississippi’s Fellow . The Mississippi Business Journal named 54th Treasurer on January 5, 2012 . She is only Lynn a Leader in Finance in 2016 and one of the second female Treasurer in state history and Mississippi’s Top 10 Business Women in 2010 . the first Republican woman to hold that office . Lynn’s commitment to community service Lynn was elected to a second term with nearly 80 extends to serving on the boards of several percent of the vote on November 3, 2015 . non-profits, including Goodwill Industries, In her first term, Lynn saved taxpayers over Red Cross of Greater Jackson Area, and the $69 million by being proactive in the way we Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation . In 2016, manage state debt . She led the effort to reorganize she served as Honorary Chair for the Susan G . MPACT, one of Mississippi’s two 529 college Komen Race for the Cure in Central Mississippi . savings programs, to make it more financially Duties: The Office of the State Treasurer sound for savers and cost-neutral to taxpayers . has many different divisions, including Cash She also helped to return over $41 million Management, Investments, Bonds, Collateral, in unclaimed property to its rightful owners . Unclaimed Property, and College Savings And, Lynn established the TEAM (Treasurer’s Mississippi . Education About Money) initiative . This public- Among the Treasurer’s duties and private partnership, in its first two years, has responsibilities are maintaining all the state’s brought financial education to 48,000 students financial records including receipts, deposits, and in over 300 schools and trained 800 teachers in disbursements of funds that flow through the personal finance, all at no cost to the schools, the state’s coffers . Those funds come from multiple teachers, or the students . sources including the federal government, Raised in Holly Springs in Marshall County, proceeds from the issuance of bonds, interest Mississippi, Lynn earned both a Bachelor of payments, and income and sales tax . Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate The Treasurer also is responsible for investing at the University of Mississippi in Oxford . Lynn state funds, serves as custodian of securities began her practice of law at the age of 23 as a held by other agencies, pays state warrants, Special Assistant Attorney General with the manages the Unclaimed Property Program, and Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, where she administers Mississippi’s two 529 College Savings represented financial and economic development Programs: Mississippi’s Prepaid Affordable 85 EXECUTIVE

College Tuition Program (MPACT), and Mississippi’s Affordable College Savings Program (MACS) . The Treasurer serves as a member of more than a dozen Boards, including Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association Board, Mississippi Guaranty Pool Board, State Bond Commission, Public Employees Retirement Board, Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, Development Bank Board, License Tag Commission, Tort Claims Board, Economic Development Strategic Planning Task Force, State Prison Emergency and Management Board, Private Nonprofit Institutions of Higher Learning (MEFA), the Historic Properties Trust Fund Advisory Committee, and Chairman of the College Savings Plan of Mississippi Board . The Treasurer is elected to a four-year term and may be re-elected . Miss . Constitution 1890 . Article 5 . §§ 125, 134 and 136 . Miss . Code Ann . § 7-9-1 et seq . (1972) Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

Contact Information: Cindy Hyde-Smith Office of the State Treasurer Cindy Hyde-Smith was elected Commissioner P .O . Box 138, Jackson, MS 39205 of Agriculture and Commerce in 2011, making 501 North West Street, Suite 1101 history as Mississippi’s first female elected to Jackson, MS 39201 the post . She was re-elected in 2015 . Prior to (601) 359-3600 serving as Commissioner, Hyde-Smith served as Lynn .Fitch@treasury .ms .gov a State Senator representing District 39 for 12 www .TreasurerLynnFitch .com years . She served as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and as an influential member of numerous other committees . As a State Senator, Hyde-Smith authored legislation and supported efforts to promote and protect all facets of the agriculture industry . As Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, Hyde-Smith is committed to ensuring fairness and equity in the marketplace and protecting Mississippians through sound regulatory practices . She strives to ensure the states’ farmers and ranchers can continue providing safe food and fiber at affordable prices to the citizens of Mississippi while maintaining the utmost in consumer confidence . Hyde-Smith is an active member of the National Association of State Departments of

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Agriculture and serves as vice-president of the pulpwood measurement; insect and plant disease Southern United States Trade Association and inspection and quarantine; pesticide inspection; as secretary of the Southern Association of egg inspection; retail food inspections; sanitation State Departments of Agriculture . She has close excluding food services; rendering plant affiliations with the Mississippi Cattlemen’s inspection; syrup labeling inspection; honey and Association, Lincoln County Cattlemen’s honey product labeling inspection; and catfish Association, Lincoln County Forestry and catfish product labeling inspection . The Association, and the Mississippi Nursery and Department operates a seed testing laboratory Landscape Association . and a metrology laboratory . Commissioner Hyde-Smith has received The Department’s Market Development numerous awards and honors including division promotes Mississippi agricultural Agriculture Legislator of the Year Award from products, both nationally and internationally, the Mississippi Association of Conservation through such programs as Genuine Mississippi Districts, Ambassador Award and Distinguished and the Agritourism Registration Program . Service Award for outstanding and meritorious This division also publishes the Mississippi service from the Mississippi Farm Bureau Market Bulletin . The Department operates the Federation, Achievement Award from Delta Mississippi Farmers Market and the Mississippi Council, and Outstanding Service to Small Agriculture and Forestry Museum . Farmers Award from Alcorn State University . In addition to overseeing the Department, She was named to The Governing Institute’s duties of the Commissioner include leadership Women in Leadership Class of 2017 . She through service on the following state boards: was selected to serve as co-chairman on the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, Mississippi Agriculture Policy Advisory Council for President Central Farmers Market Board, Mississippi Donald Trump . Fair Commission, Mississippi Land, Water, Commissioner Hyde-Smith and her husband and Timber Resources Board, Mississippi Michael live in Brookhaven with their daughter Department of Environmental Quality Permit Anna-Michael, the family’s fifth generation Board, State Seed Board, and State Soil and farmer . Born in Brookhaven, Hyde-Smith is a Water Conservation Committee . graduate of Copiah Lincoln Community College The Commissioner of Agriculture and and the University of Southern Mississippi . They Commerce is elected to a four year term and are active members of Macedonia Baptist Church may be re-elected . Miss . Code Ann . § 69-1-1 and serve on numerous community committees . et seq . (1972) . Duties: The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce was created in 1906 Contact Information: by the to foster and Commissioner of Agriculture & Commerce promote the business of agriculture under the 121 North Jefferson Street management and control of the Commissioner of Jackson, MS 39201 Agriculture and Commerce . (601) 359-1100/f(601) 354-6290 The Department performs regulatory www .mdac ms. .gov functions in the areas of aquaculture inspection for all non-native species of fish and game fish for stocking and food consumption purposes; agricultural theft; meat, fruit, and vegetable inspection; feed, seed, fertilizer, and soil and plant amendment inspection; weights and measures; grain dealer and grain warehouse licensing;

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named one of the top insurance professionals by Insurance Business America Magazine, and was named a Healthcare Hero by the Mississippi Business Journal . Commissioner Chaney has served on numerous community development entities and corporate boards . He is also a Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow . He is a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Vietnam . Chaney and his wife, Mary have three children and eight grandchildren . Duties: The Insurance Commissioner is charged with execution of all laws relative to insurance companies, corporations, associations and fraternal orders, their agents and adjusters . This office licenses and regulates the practices of all insurance companies, agents, burial associations, fraternal societies, bail bondsmen, and other entities engaged in the business of insurance . The Insurance Commissioner licenses Commissioner of Insurance manufacturers and dealers of mobile homes and regulates their practices, including inspecting their manufacturing techniques and standards . Mike Chaney, Mississippi’s 11th Commissioner The office enforces the liquefied compressed of Insurance and State Fire Marshal, is currently gas inspection program . The State’s standard serving his third term in office . First elected fire code is administered by the Commissioner in 2007, Chaney brought extensive business through the department’s State Fire Marshal knowledge and experience to the office combined Division . The Insurance Commissioner also with 15 years of service in the Mississippi House serves as State Fire Marshal and Chairman of the and Senate . State Fire Academy . His priorities throughout his terms in office The Insurance Commissioner is elected to a remain steadfastly committed to consumer four-year term and may be re-elected . Miss . Code protection and application of technology for Ann . § 83-1-1 et seq . (1972) efficiency of the department to serve the state and consumers . He is leading the department Contact Information: in making strides in healthcare reform; disaster Commissioner of Insurance recovery from flood, tornado and hurricane P .O . Box 79 events; bail bond industry reform; and reductions Jackson, MS 39205 in state fire deaths . (601) 359-3569/f(601) 359-2474 An active member of the NAIC, Chaney commissioner@mid .ms .gov serves on numerous committees, task forces www .mid .ms .gov and working groups . Among the issues he is involved in addressing are examination oversight, accounting practices, producer licensing, health insurance and managed care, senior issues, catastrophe and property and casualty insurance . As Commissioner, he was inducted into the Insurance Hall of Fame at his alma mater, Mississippi State University . He received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Mississippi Risk Management and Insurance program and its Professional Society . He has been

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He is married to Nancy, who is a retired public school teacher, and together they have four children and seven grandchildren .

Public Service Commissioner— Central District (1) Cecil Brown Cecil Brown is currently serving as Central Public Service Commissioner District Public Service Commissioner, and Vice Southern District (2) Chairman of the Commission . Commissioner Brown was born in Meridian, Sam Britton Mississippi . He is a graduate of University Commissioner Sam Britton was elected as the of Mississippi, where he studied English and Public Service Commissioner–Southern District Mathematics . He is also a graduate of The in 2015 . University of Texas, where he received his Samuel F . Britton, CPA/ABV, CVA, Master’s Degree in Accounting, and received the CFF, PFS, CGMA, CMAP, has worked as highest CPA exam score in the state . Managing Director at a national investment Commissioner Brown has dedicated most banking firm . He has also worked as a CPA in of his career to public service; he started almost Public Accounting with experience in areas twenty-five years ago, serving as the State Fiscal of governmental accounting and auditing, Officer and Executive Director of the state taxation, finance, business valuation, and mergers Department of Finance and Administration . He and acquisition . Sam worked at the Office of later served as chief of staff to Governor Ray State Auditor and the Mississippi State Tax Mabus . Commission . In 1999, Commissioner Brown was elected in Sam is a graduate of the University of Southern the Mississippi House of Representatives . Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Business During his 16 years in the legislature he Administration and also a graduate of Jones worked on several committees, he served seven County Junior College . years as Chairman of the Education Committee, Sam was named one of “Mississippi Leaders and eight years as a member of the Joint in Finance for 2014” by the Mississippi Business Legislative Budget Committee . Journal . Sam is also a Mississippi Economic As Commissioner of the Central District Council Leadership Class Graduate . Public Service Commission, he continues to work Sam is married to Robin Robinson, and they for the people of Mississippi to provide quality live in Laurel . and affordable utility service .

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Commissioner Presley, 38, is a lifelong resident of Nettleton, where he is a member of the Enon Primitive Baptist Church . He is past-President and current member of the Nettleton Lions Club and is a member of the Nettleton Civitan Club .

Qualifications: Public Service Commissioners serve a four-year term and may succeed themselves in office . A Public Service Commissioner must be a qualified elector, a resident of the Supreme Court District in which election is sought, at least 25 years of age, and a citizen of the State five years next preceding the day of election . The qualifying fee is $200 .

Duties: For-hire transportation, communication, electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities are under the supervision and regulations of this Commission . It is the Commission’s responsibility to ensure rates and charges for service are just and reasonable, Public Service Commissioner the approved rate schedules are adhered to, the Northern District (3) service rendered is reasonably adequate, and that facilities constructed or acquired are required for Brandon Presley the convenience and necessity of the public . In Brandon Presley was elected Public Service carrying out its responsibility, the Commission Commissioner for the Northern District of must answer complaints, make investigations, and Mississippi in 2007, re-elected in 2011, and most conduct both formal and informal meetings . recently re-elected in 2015 winning 31 of the district’s 33 counties . Elected to the Public Service Contact information: Commission at age 30, he was the youngest Mississippi Public Service Commission Commissioner ever elected in Mississippi . Prior Woolfolk Building to his election to the Public Service Commission, 501 North West Street he served as Mayor of Nettleton from 2001 Suite 201A to 2007, having been elected at the age of 23, Jackson, MS 39201 making him one of the youngest mayors in www .psc .state .ms .us Mississippi history . Commissioner Presley currently serves as Cecil Brown- Central (1) Chairman for the Mississippi Public Service (601) 961-5430/f(601) 961-5824 Commission . He has also served as President 1-800-356-6430 of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory central .district@psc .state ms. us. Utility Commissioners, which is composed of Public Service Commissioners from the Sam Britton - Southern (2) eleven (11) Southern State and Puerto Rico . He (601) 961-5440/f(601) 961-5842 currently serves as chairman of the Consumer 1-800-356-6429 Affairs Committee for the National Association southern .district@psc .state .ms .us of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and also serves on the Natural Gas Committee . 16516 Switzer Park Road He is a former member of the board of directors Biloxi, MS 39532 of the National Regulatory Research Institute (223) 396-2643 (NNRI) . He currently serves on the advisory committee for the New Mexico’s State University 17 JM Tatum Industrial Drive Center for Public Utilities . Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (601) 545-4418 90 EXECUTIVE

Brandon Presley - Northern (3) Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee (601) 961-5450/f(601) 961-5476 and the Senate Appropriations Committee — 1-800-356-6428 the first Republican to occupy this position in northern district@psc. .state .ms .us over 100 years . He also served as President of the Mississippi Republican-Elected Officials 218 Main Street Association and as State Chairman of the United Nettleton, MS 38858 Republican Fund . Other honors have included (662) 963-1471 being the first recipient of the Hugh L . White 1-800-637-7722 Free Enterprise Award and Conservation Legislator of the Year . Born in Vicksburg, Hall grew up in Jackson and graduated from Central High School . After earning a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University, Hall served as a Field Artillery Officer in the U S. . Army . His dedication to public service does not end with government involvement . Hall’s community participation has included serving on the Board of Directors of the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra . He has served as Chairman of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, the Mid-Mississippi March of Dimes and President of the Jackson Touchdown Club . He is also a board member of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation . Hall and his wife, Jennifer, reside in the Brandon area in Rankin County and attend Lakeside Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a Deacon .

Transportation Commissioner Central District (1) Dick Hall Hall is serving his fifth full term as Transportation Commissioner of the Central District, which covers 22 counties with a population of approximately one million people . After serving 24 years in the Mississippi Legislature, Hall was appointed Central District Transportation Commissioner by Gov . Kirk Fordice in 1999 to fill the unexpired term of a former commissioner . Hall was elected later that year to his first full term as Commissioner and has been re-elected to four subsequent terms . Hall’s experience in the Mississippi Legislature was extremely broad-based serving three terms as a Representative and three terms as a Senator . In both the House and the Senate, Hall chaired the Environment Committees of each chamber, respectively . Other chairmanships included the

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Municipal League Legislator of the Year, 2010 Hattiesburg’s Veteran of the Year, American Legion Meritorious Service Award in 2007 and Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Legislator of the Year in 2002 . In his position as Transportation Commissioner, King represents approximately one million citizens in the southern 27 counties of Mississippi . He is the first Republican to hold the post of Transportation Commissioner in the Southern District . King is no stranger to South Mississippi as he was born in Hattiesburg . He attended Petal High School and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree . He currently lives in Hattiesburg with his wife, the former Susan Lynn Patterson, and has two children and two grandchildren . King and his wife are members of Petal-Harvey Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon . Transportation Commissioner Southern District (2) Tom King King is entering his second term as Southern District Transportation Commissioner . He previously served as a state lawmaker since 1993 when he was elected to the House of Representatives where he remained until 1999 . In 2000, he began his tenure in the Senate, where his leadership brokered many bills designed to better the lives of Mississippians . As Chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, King authored resolutions that honored the achievements of persons throughout his district and the state . Most notably, King authored Senate Bill 3181, the $300 million bond bill for highways and bridges, and Senate Bill 3014, known as the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Act, which promotes safety for cyclists on roadways . King also authored Senate Bill 2514 that created the Mississippi Wireless Communications Commission, which ensures that the state’s Transportation Commissioner emergency responders and law enforcement have Northern District (3) the means to communicate regardless of any disaster that may occur . Mike Tagert King is a Veteran of the Vietnam War, having Tagert has a broad background in intermodal served his country in the Air Force as an Air transportation and economic development Policeman . He is affiliated with the Chamber spanning the public and private sectors . Prior to of Commerce, Rotary, American Legion and being elected Commissioner in February 2011, VFW . He has received many professional Tagert was Administrator of the Tennessee- awards and honors including 2011 Mississippi Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority,

92 EXECUTIVE responsible for promoting intermodal Duties: The State of Mississippi vests oversight transportation and attracting private investment of its transportation resources and operations in a for job creation and economic growth . He three-member elected Mississippi Transportation signed an International Agreement with the Commission representing three geographic areas Panama Canal Authority to promote future in the state as defined by the Supreme Court trade and transportation via the Gulf of Mexico Districts: Northern, Central and Southern . The and Northeast Mississippi . The agreement Commissioners represent the electorate and strengthens Mississippi’s strategic position for have the authority and responsibility for the handling freight in anticipation of changing supervision of all modes of transportation in global freight patterns . the state dealing with aeronautics, highways, Other accomplishments include leading the ports, public transit and railroads . In accordance successful designation of the Marine Highway with state law, the Commission is responsible (M-65) Corridor, an all-water route between for planning, developing and coordinating the Port of Itawamba and the Port of Mobile, a comprehensive, balanced intermodal Ala ., to enhance freight capacity while reducing transportation policy for the state . The highway congestion . Tagert spearheaded Commission membership appoints its Chairman . various legislative initiatives including The Commission appoints an Executive Director Mississippi’s Interstate Pest Control Compact, of the Mississippi Department of Transportation aimed at promoting trade while protecting the (MDOT) to carry out the day-to-day policies environment and agriculture . and procedures of the agency . The Commission Tagert is a former member of the Trade meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of and Transportation Advisory Council for the each month at its offices in Jackson; and at such Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta . Earlier in his sessions, the Commission may hear, continue and career, Tagert served as the Executive Director determine any and all matters coming before it . of the State Bureau of Plant Industry, a member MDOT’s headquarters and the Central District of the Alabama Intermodal Infrastructure Commission office are located in Jackson . The Advisory Board, Vice President of the Coalition Northern District Commission office is located in of Alabama Waterway Associations and Vice Tupelo . The Southern District Commission office President of Inland Rivers, Ports and is located in Hattiesburg . Terminals, Inc . Tagert served in the United States Marine Contact Information: Corps and the Reserves for six years . He earned Mississippi Department of Transportation a bachelor’s degree from Millsaps College in 401 N . West St . Jackson, and a Master of Public Policy degree Jackson, MS 39201 from Mississippi State University . In his (601) 359-7074/f(601) 359-7834 position as Transportation Commissioner, he comments@mdot .ms .gov represents approximately one million citizens www .GoMDOT .com in the northern 33 counties of the state . He is the first Republican to hold the post of Transportation Commissioner in the Northern District and only the second Republican to hold the post statewide . He is married to the former Mary Love Mortimer of Kilmichael, and they have four children: Frances, Harlan, Wilkes and Henry .

Qualifications: Transportation Commissioners serve a four-year term and may succeed themselves in office . A Transportation Commissioner must be a qualified elector and a resident to the Supreme Court District in which election is sought . The qualifying fee is $200 .

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