Mighty Mississippi Grow Your Business in Mississippi International Trade & Investment Entrepreneurship & Innovation Minority and Small Business Menu Mississippi Development Authority Department Directory HOME / ABOUT MDA / OUR DEPARTMENTS How can we help? 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. QUICK LINKS Minority & Small Business Development Entrepreneur Center Business Research & Workforce Development Business Recruitment and Expansion International Trade Energy & Natural Resources Community and Rural Development Community Resources 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 Derek Finley Business Development & Supplier Diversity Manager 601.359.2036 Email Me LaTisha Handy Program Manager: Certifications, Loans, Marketing, Bids, Solicitations 601.359.2910 Email Me Secret Luckett Program Manager: Bids, Solicitations, Certifications 601.359.2700 Email Me Dr. Latonia Lewis Project Manager, Business Development: Contractors Academy, Model Contractor Development Program, License Readiness, Advance Construction 601.359.6678 Email Me Carol Harris Director of Minority and Small Business 601.359.2386 Email Me Joycie Lenoir Program Manager: Procurement Advisor,Central Mississippi 601.359.2904 Email Me Natalie Purvis Program Manager: Procurement Advisor, Meridian 601.934.5975 Email Me Address: 501 North West Street Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: 601.359.3449 Email: minority@mississippi.org Learn More 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 601.359.2399 Email Me Nerissa Tripp Minority Surety Bond, Minority Loan Program, Financial Analysis & Business Planning 601.359.2219 Email Me Michael Harris Business Start-up, Expansion, Planning & Training 601.359.3420 Email Me Nash Nunnery Business Start-up, Expansion, Planning & Training 601.359.9241 Email Me Address: 501 North West Street Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Phone: 601.359.3448 Email: entrepreneurcenter@mississippi.org Learn More 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 601.359.3040 Email Me Chris Smith Bureau Manager of Research and Data Analytics 601.359.2920 Email Me Deloise Tate Research Specialist/New & Expanded Industry Reports 601.359.2990 Email Me Katherine Lanford Workforce Specialist 601.359.9513 Email Me Address: 501 North West Street Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Phone: 601.359.3593 Email: locatehere@mississippi.org Learn More Business Recruitment and Expansion CONTACTS Bill Cork Chief Economic Development Officer 601.359.5769 Email Me Tracey Giles Deputy Chief of Economic Development 601.359.9342 Email Me Valerie Crout Manager, Special Programs 601.359.2939 Email Me Jenell Robinson Administrative Assistant 601.359.6602 Email Me Joey Roberts Project Manager 601.359.2374 Email Me Sara Doss Project Manager 601.359.1220 Email Me Daniel Lang Project Manager 601.359.1995 Email Me Ross Ivey Project Manager 601.359.2900 Email Me Gabriella Nuzzo Project Manager 601.359.6645 Email Me Erin Gordon Project Manager 601.359.2602 Email Me 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 Chris Engels Director, International Trade and Investment 601.359.3045 Email Me Luigi Dominighini Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Caribbean Trade Manager 601.359.9429 Email Me Vickie Watters Martin Canada Trade Manager and General Trade 601.359.2070 Email Me Karel Abboud Europe and North Africa Trade Manager 601.359.9406 Email Me Mani Hairston STEP Program Manager 601.359.3849 Email Me Gena Lentz Manager, Foreign Direct Investment 601.359.2907 Email Me Address: 501 North West Street Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: (601) 359-3155 Email: internationalbusiness@mississippi.org Learn More 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 Dr. Sumesh Arora Director 601.359.2552 Email Me Gayle Sims Bureau Manager Federal Reporting, Mississippi Industrial Energy Efficiency Program 601.359.2923 Email Me Lisa Campbell Energy Education & Workforce Manager, October Energy Awareness Month, Project NEED, Middle School Science Bowl, Regional Science Fairs 601.359.6641 Email Me Address: 501 North West Street Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: 601.359.3449 Email: energysmartms@mississippi.org Learn More 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 Chance McDavid Director of Community and Rural Development 601.359.2659 Email Me Daryl Neely Program Manager 601.359.9457 Email Me Ellen Bourdeaux Program Manager 601.359.9333 Email Me Tim Climer Manager of Programs & Services 601.359.9387 Email Me Address: 501 North West Street Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: 601.359.3449 Email: commruraldev@mississippi.org Learn More Community Resources The Community Resources team works to create strong, vibrant communities by assisting with loan and grant qualification, public infrastructure repair and improvement and affordable housing. CONTACTS Steve Hardin Director of Community Incentives 601.359.2366 Email Me Peggy Knott Administrative Assistant 601.359.9322 Email Me Timothy Climer Program Manager 601.359.2157 Email Me Lisa Maxwell Bureau Manager 601.359.2498 Email Me Tange Bozeman Program Manager 601.359.9490 Email Me Jesse Davis Program Manager 601.359.2873 Email Me Erin Hovanec Program Manager 601.359.9376 Email Me April Smith Program Manager 601.359.2859 Email Me Carolyn McKinney Program Manager 601.359.9316 Email Me Ray Robinson Bureau Manager 601.359.9273 Email Me Tammie Lawrence Program Manager 601.359.9339 Email Me Frednia Perkins Program Manager 601.359.9324 Email Me Address: 501 North West Street Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: 601.359.3179 Email: community@mississippi.org Learn More Featured Media View All Media BUSINESS NEWS NOVEMBER 3, 2021 Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems establishing manufacturing operations in Lee County Jackson, Mississippi – November 3, 2021 – Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems, a global automotive supplier in manufacturing air ventilation systems […] Read Article BUSINESS NEWS NOVEMBER 2, 2021 Ilex Organics starting operations in Clarksdale Jackson, Mississippi – November 2, 2021 – Ilex Organics, supplier of Yaupon tea and Mississippi-grown catfish fillets, is locating operations […] Read Article BUSINESS NEWS OCTOBER 27, 2021 Voyant Beauty increasing capacity in Olive Branch Jackson, Mississippi – October 27, 2021 – Voyant Beauty, manufacturer of beauty and personal care products, is expanding in Olive […] Read Article NEWSLETTER Get the latest from Mississippi Want to stay in-the-know on the latest announcements and updates? Sign up to receive news from the Mississippi Development Authority. NAME(REQUIRED) FIRST LAST EMAIL(REQUIRED) SUBJECT(REQUIRED) Please Select I'm a site selector or business I'm a Mississippi-based business I'm interested in moving to Mississippi Contact Information P. O. Box 849 Jackson, MS 39205 Phone: (601) 359-3449 Toll-Free: (800) 360-3323 Grow Your Business in Mississippi Entrepreneurship & Innovation International Trade & Investment Minority and Small Business Contact Us Full Menu © 2021 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. | PRIVACY POLICY | TRANSPARENCY We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Cookie Settings Accept All