Thursday, April 30, 2015

McCullough to lead MDA

Governor Phil Bryant issued the following press release:


Gov. Phil Bryant Names Glenn McCullough Jr. as MDA Executive Director

JACKSON—Gov. Phil Bryant today named Glenn McCullough Jr. as executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. Bryant made the announcement at the 66th annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council.

McCullough is the former chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority, former director of the Appalachian Regional Commission and former mayor of Tupelo, Miss. During his tenure at TVA, the utility earned national recognition for its economic development efforts and achieved record goals for capital investment and job growth.

“Glenn McCullough is an outstanding and accomplished leader, and I am very pleased to appoint him to lead the Mississippi Development Authority,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “He shares my passion for economic development, and he has a proven record of achieving results. He can build a consensus and get things done. We have great momentum in Mississippi, and Glenn will take that success to the next level.”

McCullough was appointed to the TVA board in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. He was named chairman by President George W. Bush and served in that position from July 2001 to May 2005. During that time, TVA launched its megasite program. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Mississippi’s first original equipment manufacturer in the automobile industry, is located on a TVA megasite.

On appointment from Gov. Kirk Fordice, McCullough served as executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission from 1993-1997. The ARC is federal-state partnership that focuses on economic development in 13 states.

McCullough was elected mayor of Tupelo, Miss., in 1997 and served until his appointment to TVA. During McCullough’s service as mayor, Tupelo launched the 50-acre Fairpark District, which includes major revitalizations, community amenities and business locations.

“Gov. Bryant is Mississippi’s chief economic developer, and his relentless focus on job creation and business recruitment is generating tremendous results. I am very honored by this appointment,” McCullough said. “MDA plays a pivotal role in fostering an environment where businesses can reach their goals and expand economic opportunities, and we will ratchet up the success the state is already experiencing. We have tremendous resources in Mississippi—from our workforce and our training programs to our partnerships with regional and local economic developers and our higher education network. I look forward to showcasing these strengths to local companies and international corporations.”

“Governor Bryant has made an excellent choice to position Mississippi for the next generation of economic development success, building on the strong base that has already been established over the last three years,” said Blake A. Wilson, President of the Mississippi Economic Council, the State Chamber. “Glenn McCullough is the gold standard.  He has the proven career management know-how to focus MDA’s marketing programs with laser precision. He also has the experience to deploy resources wisely to boost workforce development, existing business and industry expansion and tourism, while continuing to put Mississippi in the place of greatest opportunity.”

McCullough holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Mississippi State University. He and his wife Laura have two sons and one granddaughter and are members of Lee Acres Church of Christ.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah yes nothing like pulling in a campaign donor to run the MDA...

Anonymous said...

didn't realize that being involved in the public process, supporting candidates, contributing "one's own" money disqualified someone to be able to run a federal or state agency. Guess his experience as Mayor of Tupelo and Chairman of the Tenn Valley Authority is overrun by the fact that he gave away some of his personal dollars to help campaigns of people he happened to support.

Either that, or 2:38 is one of those JJ commentators that works constantly to find something to bitch about on every topic. Only one I think he missed lately was the fact about Sound of Music coming to the big screen.

Anonymous said...

to say nothing of his total lack of experience or accomplishments

Anonymous said...

Glenn is a 10. There is nobody better to run that agency. Anybody that has ever met him knows that.

We dang sure "traded up".

Anonymous said...

Is this appointment interim?

Anonymous said...

Lack of experience and accomplishments? Surely you are kidding. But knowing that you are not, have to agree with earlier comment - you are part of the JJ Nation that comments about crap you don't know anything about. McCullough has a long list of accomplishments and plenty of experience.

4:19 has it correct. We 'traded up' bigtime on this one. Might be the best appointment of Phil's 1st term - right up there with getting Marshall Fisher back to take over DOC.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Phil just appoint McCullough to IHL? or do I have him confused with someone else?

Anonymous said...

Feeel hit a home run with this one. Glenn will do a great job.

Anonymous said...

Same one. Qualified for either - or both.

Jeff Rimes said...

McCullough is just what we need. A Mississippian who loves Mississippi and who will make other people fall in love with Mississippi. He will be a great ambassador for our State!

Anonymous said...

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/02/19/governor-names-new-ihl-members/23686423/

is this same as new MDE chief?

Anonymous said...

I heard last week that about 10 people were shown the door over there. Some were long time employees too.

Now Hear This said...

So what, 8:06? Long time employees should have an ownership right to the job? 'Long time employees' not being terminated may be the chief problem with state government today.

Anonymous said...

8:06, should have been 50 let go.

Anonymous said...

Wow I never said the man lacked experience just made the comment that his political donations are far and wide... Gregg Harper, Phil Bryant... so on and so forth... Man don't you folks do any research?

Anonymous said...

"I heard last week that about 10 people were shown the door over there."

Where? MDA? IHL? To which post were you replying?

Anonymous said...

Tourism director should go back to the private sector.

Anonymous said...

10:21Ten regional offices of MDA were closed, and that resulted in several being "let go".

9:53 Yes you pointed out Glenn's contributions. I pointed out the obvious and that is that successful people often support candidates for office who's philosophy they agree with and would like running the city/state/country. McCullough has contributed to all the people you listed and many more. So have thousands of others. What's your point? And one anonymous questioned his lack of experience - don't know if that was you or someone else. Grow a thicker skin and less ego. Not everything is about you.

Anonymous said...

Good choice. He has the economic development knowledge and corporate experience necessary to rebuild a department in great need of repair. Hopefully, he will hire an educated, experienced, effective team to move MS forward. We need a MDA that plays well with others, represents the state in a professional manner and utilizes the state's resources to expand and recruit industry. High hopes for this new Director.


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