Contact: Maridith Geuder
A Jackson business executive is in the first month of his yearlong leadership of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association.
Robert M. "Robby" Gathings, a 1981 accounting graduate, is the new national president of the volunteer board that directs activities for more than 94,000 university alumni. Chief financial officer for U-Save Auto Rental of America, Gathings has served on the alumni association board of directors since 1995, most recently as national first vice president.
He succeeds Steve G. Taylor of Starkville, the 1977 banking and finance graduate who is president of BankFirst in Starkville.
"I've been fortunate to work with Robby since 1995 and he always has been a valuable asset to our alumni association," said executive director John V. Correro. "We look forward to the enthusiasm and commitment he will bring in service to Mississippi State in this leadership role."
Other 2001-02 association leaders include:
--E. Allen Maxwell of New Albany, national first vice president. A commercial underwriter for State Auto Insurance Co., he is a 1978 general business graduate who has served on the association's board of directors since 1997.
--Gary A. Blair of Brookhaven, national second vice president. A regional vice president of the Federal Land Bank Association of South Mississippi, he is a 1981 agribusiness and business administration graduate. He has served on the alumni board of directors since 1995, most recently as South 2 Region director.
--S. Keith Winfield of Starkville, continuing as national treasurer. A 1970 accounting graduate and partner in the accounting firm of Watkins, Ward and Stafford, he has served on the association's board of directors since 1993.
Five regional officers also were elected recently. They include:
--Ronald E. Sleeper of Corinth, North 2 Region director. He is a regional vice president of the Fleetwood Retail Corp.
--Joe L. Bryan of Yazoo City, who will be serving a second consecutive term as Central 1 Region director. He is a senior vice president for Bank of Yazoo City and a 1968 agricultural economics graduate.
--Charles W. Farrior of Vancleave, who begins a second term as South 3 Region director. He is a supervisory contract specialist and corporate administrative contracting officer for the United States Navy's Shipbuilding Division and a 1982 banking and finance graduate.
--Robert S. Tuttle of Hernando, Young Director-Northern Region. An international development manager at Alexander International, he is a 1995 political science graduate.
--Archie E. Cammack of Mobile, Ala., is serving a second term as out-of-state director. A senior field representative for Countrywide Service Corp., he is a 1964 business administration graduate.
Additionally, the alumni association's executive committee also made the following appointments:
--Brenda D. Thornton of Ridgeland, a second term as at-large director. A 1978 computer science graduate, she is executive vice president and chief information officer for AmFed Companies.
--Tommy Everett of Magee, a one-year term as at-large director. A 1950 general business administration graduate, he is retired president of Magee Auto Supply and the alumni association's longtime (1979-92) national treasurer.
--Henry Hamill of Brookhaven, a one-year term as South 2 regional director. A 1990 marketing graduate, he is an agent with Farm Bureau Insurance.