Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Some 40 upper-level state government managers and others are new graduates of Mississippi State's 2005 Senior Executive Development Institute.
Sponsored by the university's John C. Stennis Institute of Government, the intense,
five-day educational workshop took place last week on campus. Now in its 15th year, the program is designed to help rising state, federal and local government officials become more effective administrators and leaders.
"The curriculum includes the latest management theories and applied management techniques, as well as organizational development concepts and a variety of other related subjects," said Stennis Institute executive director Marty Wiseman. "Leaders of the various class sessions represent a variety of academic and professional backgrounds and experiences.
"In additional to being a substantial peer experience," he added, "we're regularly told by graduates that the training greatly expanded their professional insights and personal skills."
Wiseman said applicants are chosen on the basis of professional experience and responsibilities, with priority given to senior state and local officials.
An MSU research and service arm established in 1977, the Stennis Institute has a three-fold mission outlined by Stennis, the MSU alumnus and leading 20th century U.S. senator who urged its creation. In addition to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of state and local governments, the institute provides technical assistance and research for state and regional rural development, and promotes civic education and citizen involvement in the political process.
The Stennis Institute's SEDI Class of 2005 includes (by hometown):
ABERDEEN--David J. Puddister, staff attorney at the United States Bankruptcy Court.
BATESVILLE--Brooke Vance, program planner and evaluator at the state Department of Mental Health.
BRANDON--William W. Johnson, a staff attorney at the state Department of Mental Health; Cyndi R. Nail, policy and planning development director at DMH's State Hospital in Whitfield; Joy F. Portera, assistant chief engineer for operations at the Mississippi Department of Transportation; and Thomas G. Salmon, project manager at the Mississippi Development Authority.
BROOKHAVEN--Robert D. Underwood, executive director of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
BYRAM--Eileen Ewing, coordinator of special projects at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.
CANTON--Harry Lee James, deputy executive director and chief engineer at the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
FLOWOOD--William S. Sumrall, program planner and evaluator at the state Department of Mental Health.
GULFPORT--Kimberly A. Peterman, training director at the state Department of Mental Health's Specialized Treatment Facility in Gulfport.
HATTIESBURG--Norma Sue Reed, director of nutrition services at the state Department of Mental Health's South Mississippi State Hospital in Purvis.
HOULKA--Helen L. Vance, director of performance improvement at the state Department of Mental Health's North Mississippi State Hospital in Tupelo.
JACKSON--Jacqueline A. Fleming [39212], director of social work at the state Department of Mental Health's State Hospital in Whitfield; Cynthia A. Smith [39212], health education specialist at the federal/state-sponsored Jackson Heart Study; Hazel J. Turner [39209], a division director at the State Personnel Board; and Chandra White-Thomas [39212], a DMH accountant and auditor;
LAWRENCE--Shelly Carlisle, director of quality support services at the state Department of Mental Health's Central Mississippi Residential Center in Newton.
LONG BEACH--Robert Bass, director of the State Personnel Board.
MADISON--Sheila C. Browning, deputy director of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, and Brenda V. Znachko, deputy executive director for administration at the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
MAGEE--Christopher Barnes, division director at the state Department of Mental Health's East Mississippi State Hospital in Meridian, and Cindy H. Womack, bureau director with DMH's Boswell Regional Center.
MERIDIAN--Mary Martha Dixon, special assistant to 3rd District U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss; John D. Foster, assistant chief engineer for pre-construction with the Mississippi Department of Transportation; Ann G. Glazar, director of interdisciplinary programs at the state Department of Mental Health's East Mississippi State Hospital.
MYRTLE--Joe M. Rials, director of fiscal services at the state Department of Mental Health's North Mississippi State Hospital in Tupelo.
NEW ALBANY--Alderman and mayor pro-tem William M. Tucker.
NEWTON--Stan E. Wilkinson, program services director at the state Department of Mental Health's Central Mississippi Residential Center, and Bridgette R. Yeager, a division director at DMH's East Mississippi State Hospital in Meridian.
OXFORD--Martha M. Briscoe, business services director at the state Department of Mental Health's North Mississippi Regional Center; Christine G. Dale, NMRC's occupation and physical therapy director; Terry C. Frazier, director of NMRC's Senatobia Facility; and Debra A. Helms, NMRC's director of recreation therapy.
PARIS--Walter D. Gurley Jr., state director of the Oxford-based Mississippi Small Business Development Centers.
PERKINSTON--Melora L. Jackson, a program planner and evaluator at the state Department of Mental Health's Long Beach Facility.
RALEIGH--Jeff D. Martin, business services director at the state Department of Mental Health's Boswell Regional Center in Magee.
RICHLAND--Alicia P. Harris, an accountant and auditor at the state Department of Mental Health's State Hospital in Whitfield.
RIDGELAND--Leigh T. Horton, a division director at the state Department of Mental Health.
WEST POINT--Melissa V. King, information administrator at Community Counseling Services of Starkville.
YAZOO CITY--Thaddeus J. Williams, a state Department of Mental Health division director.