Contact: Maridith Geuder
New national MSU Alumni Association officers include (l-r) treasurer David Jones, second vice president Keith Winfield, president Allen Maxwell, first vice president Gary Blair, and immediate past president Robert Gathings.
E. Allen Maxwell, a New Albany insurance executive, is the new national president of Mississippi State's alumni association.
A 1978 general business administration graduate who manages The Peoples Insurance Agency, Maxwell will serve during the next year as leader of the university's more than 94,000 living graduates. He has been a member of the alumni association's board of directors since 1997, most recently as national first vice president.
Maxwell succeeds Robert M. "Robby" Gathings of Jackson, a 1981 accounting graduate who is chief financial officer for U-Save Auto Rental of America.
"The national president plays a critical role in establishing the directions and programs of the alumni organization," said executive director John V. Correro. "We're fortunate to have someone who brings a high level of knowledge and commitment to his position."
Other 2002-03 association leaders are:
--Gary A. Blair of Brookhaven, national first vice president. Regional vice president of the Federal Land Bank Association of South Mississippi, he is a 1981 agribusiness administration graduate. He has served on the alumni association's board of directors since 1995.
--S. Keith Winfield of Starkville, national second vice president. 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, most recently as national treasurer.
--David W. Jones of Jackson, national treasurer. A Trustmark National Bank vice president, he is a 1981 accounting graduate who served for six years as the association's Central Mississippi chapter director.
Regional directors also recently elected include:
--D. Randall Allen of Olive Branch, North 1 Region. He is a 1987 general business administration graduate.
--Moody M. Culpepper of Vicksburg, Central 3 Region. He is a 1962 civil engineering graduate.
--Henry E. Hamill of Brookhaven, South 3 Region. He is a 1990 marketing graduate.
--Natalie S. Gibbs of Ridgeland, Young Director/Central Region. She is a 1995 marketing graduate.
--Haley R. Fisackerly of Little Rock, Ark., out-of-state director. He is a 1987 management graduate.