Governor Tate Reeves issued the following statement.
Governor Tate Reeves today announced he has appointed Paul Jerrod “PJ” Waldrop Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) effective tomorrow. The appointment comes after William “Bill” Cork’s retirement from state service.
“Mississippi is attracting record-breaking capital investment and creating thousands of high-paying jobs all across our state,” said Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. “PJ has been a key member of our economic development team, and he understands what it takes to bring major projects to Mississippi. I’m confident he will do a tremendous job leading the Mississippi Development Authority and building on this historic momentum. I’d like to thank Bill Cork for his years of service to our state and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
PJ Waldrop most recently served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of MDA, where he helped lead the state’s economic and community development efforts and oversaw 12 divisions responsible for approximately $400 million in annual expenditures. Since joining the agency’s executive leadership team, he has helped advance major economic development projects, led the agency’s first significant organizational restructuring in a decade, and worked to strengthen operations across multiple divisions. Previously, Waldrop served as the first Director of the Governor’s Office of Military Affairs at MDA, where he developed Mississippi’s statewide military-community strategy, established a five-year strategic plan, and helped create the Defense Communities Development Council.
Before returning to Mississippi, Waldrop spent more than a decade working in the United States Senate, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, State Director, and Legislative Director for U.S. Senator David Perdue. Earlier in his career, he served on the staffs of U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Thad Cochran and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. His career has focused on the intersection of executive leadership, economic development, public policy, government relations, and organizational strategy.
Waldrop holds a Master of Science in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Delta State University.
“Mississippi has incredible momentum,” said PJ Waldrop. “I’d like to thank Governor Reeves for the opportunity to serve the great state of Mississippi in this new role. I’m looking forward to working with our team at the Mississippi Development Authority and leaders across the state to build upon our economic development successes.”
“Serving Mississippi has been the honor of my career,” said Bill Cork. “Nina and I arrived on the Gulf Coast more than a decade ago, and this state gave us far more than we could ever give back. I am grateful to Governor Reeves for his leadership, his trust and his friendship. The award-winning MDA team is in great hands with PJ Waldrop as executive director. I can't wait to see the records they break next. It's been an amazing run, and Mississippi's best days are still ahead of her. Thank you, Mississippi.”
23 comments:
P J can't afford a tie?
State government is the only growth engine in Mississippi.
Lots of jobs and new industry, but not in Jackson. Not in my lifetime.
9:50am:
Sounds like a job with muchos hearings, panels, conferences and legal meetings. He likely relishes his escape from tie bondage. I used to unknot the tie and throw both halves over my shoulders, then undo a few buttons, crank down the AC and go back to work. Now I've not worn another for 20+ years.
One thing this gubernatorial administration has done well is economic development and only complete idiots (i.e., democrats) are unwilling to acknowledge this fact.
Jxn is desperate for industrial development and should embrace Nuclear power + AI data centers. 1.5 year development for AI, 5yr build out for Nuke plant. AI will go where the juice is and invest in that locale, if Central MS hires talented negotiators.
Just another well-connected Mississippi yes man to do the party's bidding.
Real story is the sudden retirement. Also organizational restructure is a euphemism for good people leaving to make more money with less micromanagment
Cork was a political operative of the highest order.
I have come to realize that the reason MS is doing so well (10:29 is a clod) is that we don't hear too much of Tater. He handles his business and doesn't holler about it all the time as do many pols.
+100,000
You are incredibly naive....and so Mississippi.
@Krusatyr >>> A nuke power plant in Jackson?!?! Not no, but hell no. You want to put the power and ability to split the atom in the hands of a bunch of Democrats that can’t even run a lemonade stand correctly? Ever hear of Chernobyl?
I went to college with PJ. He is a good guy and smart as well. Kudos my friend.
But what is he exactly "good" at? Being a bullshit artist? In Mississippi, that's a solid prerequisite for this type of position - surely you understand that about your bud.
@3:07 and what do you do all day at work? Are you a pediatric neurosurgeon?
Bill has accepted a job in another state to be closer to kids and grandkids. There’s nothing salacious about it.
@5:56pm - i.e. his family left this sinking ship of a state and he left to join them.
Bill and his family aren't from Mississippi. So no one "left." He's been in Mississippi with just his wife and accepted a new job to be closer to grandkids. It's not uncommon governor-appointed directors of state agencies to find their next gig when a governor's term is nearing its end. Especially at MDA.
A former Congressional staffer...seems legit. I bet he's got a fat bank account, that will only get fatter.
Sooooo, for you - one has to be a children's neurosurgeon to rank as having actually talent and ability? You clearly don't understand how the world works - most people are average at best in most professions, and your college buddy is a parasite within the corrupt U.S. government that creates/builds absolutely nothing. He's no different than a door-to-door solicitor of donations to redistribute wealth in the name of being a do-gooder.
@1:12 PM i pray you really don't think the city of jackson officials and employees would be able to even get near the nuclear power plant....
His next job after MDA will pay a lot better!
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