CHIEF PHILLIP MARTIN
Tribal Chief
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Phillip Martin is the democratically-elected Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a federally-recognized American Indian tribe of 9,300 enrolled members living on or near 35,000 acres of reservation land in east central Mississippi . Chief Martin has a 46-year record of service in the Tribal government, including his service as Tribal Chief, beginning in 1979, and continuing uninterrupted to the present day.
Phillip Martin first joined the Tribal Council in 1957, having returned home in 1955 from ten years' active duty with the United States Air Force. Then, elected as Tribal Chairman in 1959, he worked in that capacity until 1966. He served as Director of the Community Action Agency during 1966 through 1971. In 1971, the Tribe's constitution was amended to establish a legislative branch of the Tribal government in the form of a 16-member Tribal Council, elected for four-year tenure on staggered terms. The position of Tribal Chief was established as the principal executive officer for the Tribal government; the Chief is also elected at large for four-year tenure. A Tribal judicial system under which the Tribal courts operate successfully was also created. This period was one of formative years for the new Tribal government, establishing substantive separation of powers, which has worked very well for the Tribe now for many years. Under this system, the Tribe has been able to make outstanding progress in economic, educational, and community development, and important achievements are still being made.
Chief Martin has served as Chairman of the National Tribal Chairmen's Association. He founded United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET). He served on the Board of Regents of Haskell Indian Nations University; and he currently presides as Chairman of the United South and Eastern Tribes Gaming Association.
Locally, Chief Martin has established 23 Tribally-owned and operated business enterprises and service operations; most are located on the Choctaw Indian Reservation, and some are located in Mexico and in major cities across North America . The result has been the creation of a very strong and widely diversified Reservation-based economy, with the Tribe now ranked Mississippi 's second largest employer, with over 9,000 permanent, full-time jobs. Chief Martin also established the Choctaw Tribal Scholarships Program to ensure that all Mississippi Choctaw students can attend the colleges and universities of their choice to prepare for the world of work. Since its commencement in 1994, the Tribal Scholarships Program has enabled over 1,500 Choctaw students to pursue higher education.
Chief Martin is reinvesting Tribal assets into further strengthening and growing the Reservation economy. His current focus is the rapidly advancing development of Pearl River Resort at Choctaw, Mississippi . Examples of the world-class, family-destination resort amenities are two high-class, Las Vegas style casinos and hotels with more than 1,100 rooms and luxury suites, the Silver Star Hotel and Casino and the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino; Phillip M's restaurant featuring casual, fine dining; a delicious array of additional restaurants; a 36-hole championship golf course designed by renowned designer Tom Fazio and PGA great Jerry Pate; a 300-acre man-made lake, Lake Pushmataha. Surrounded by an outstanding recreational complex, Lake Pushmataha boasts of the Clear Water Key's nine acres of white sand beaches, and Geyser Falls Water Theme Park . Additional recreational options soon coming online will be a large and excellently appointed 180,000-square-foot physical fitness center with indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, rock climbing wall, sports track, physical fitness exercise room; basketball courts with seating for up to 4,000 visitors, an RV park, campgrounds, Choctaw Museum and Cultural Arts Center, ball fields, and many other amenities.
Chief Martin's contributions are being nationally recognized, and he is receiving a great many awards. He was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi; the Frontline Award from the John C. Stennis Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Mississippi Business Hall of Fame; two Hammer Awards from the Vice President of the United States; Hero of the Taxpayer Award from the Washington, D.C.-based organization Americans for Tax Reform Foundation; Man of the Year by the Philadelphia Neshoba County Chamber of Commerce; and Award for Outstanding Tribal Economic Diversification and Development from the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA). He also was awarded the Highest Flying Eagle Award from his alma mater Meridian Community College , with his induction into the Hall of Fame at that institution of higher education.
Chief Martin is married to Bonnie Kate Bell Martin, and they have two daughters, Deborah Lewis and Patricia Gibson, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
We invite you to make a personal visit to Pearl River Resort at Choctaw, Mississippi , and see first-hand the outstanding accomplishments that the Choctaw people are making through their successful exercise of Self-Determination.
Rep. Denny Rehberg
U.S. Congressman
Montana
U.S. Congressman Denny Rehberg , in his fourth year representing the state of Montana , is a fifth generation Montana rancher with more than a quarter century of ranching and public service experience.
After beginning his life-long dedication to public service as an intern for the Montana State Senate, Denny joined the Washington D.C. staff of Montana Congressman Ron Marlenee as a legislative assistant. In 1982, Rehberg returned to Montana and the family business of ranching.
In 1984, Rehberg was again called to public service when his fellow Montanans elected him to the state House of Representatives. After serving three successful terms where he led the effort to bring fiscal accountability to state government, balanced the budget and fought off attempts to raise taxes, Denny was appointed Lieutenant Governor by Governor Stan Stephens.
Following his appointed term, Rehberg joined the statewide ticket with Attorney General and candidate for Governor Marc Racicot and was elected to his first full term as Montana 's Lieutenant Governor in 1992.
As Lieutenant Governor, Denny worked to bring local control back to state government by traveling to all 56 counties every term, a practice he has maintained as Montana 's Congressman. He chaired the Drought Advisory Committee, the Montana Rural Development Council, several health care initiatives and the task force credited with reforming Worker's Compensation.
A life long steward of the land, Denny managed the Rehberg Ranch near Billings prior to his election to Congress, where he oversaw a herd of 500 cattle and 600 cashmere goats.
In 2000, voters overwhelming elected Denny Rehberg to Montana 's lone seat in the House of Representatives, giving him one of the largest vote totals of the 2000 election. He was overwhelmingly reelected in 2002 with nearly two-thirds of the statewide vote.
Serving on the House Committees on Agriculture, Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, Rehberg's first two terms in Congress have been marked by several significant victories for Montana families and business leaders. A recognized leader in agriculture issues, Rehberg authored and achieved passage of innovative value-added legislation that will help farmers and ranchers reach up the economic ladder to add value to their products. He supported President Bush's historic tax relief package that has already created 800,000 new jobs and was a leading proponent of sweeping education reforms designed to bring accountability and results to America 's public school system.
In the wake of the terrible tragedies of September 11th, Congressman Rehberg has been an outspoken proponent of common sense reform. He has joined successful majorities in voting to re-build America 's neglected military infrastructure, eliminate the failed INS agency in favor of a more accountable system and dramatically increase efforts to secure America 's borders.
Congressman Rehberg's priorities for the future are clear: he wants to ensure American security at home and abroad, provide for a quality public education so that every child has the ability to achieve his or her fullest potential, and is committed to keeping America's promise to our senior citizens by preserving the Social Security and Medicare trust funds while offering a comprehensive prescription drug benefit to those most in need.
Denny Rehberg has been happily married to his high school sweetheart, Janice, for 25 years. Together they have three children, A.J. (20), Katie (17), and Elsie (6). A graduate of Washington State University , Rehberg attended Billings West High School and Montana State University.
John E. Baggott
Program Manager
Raytheon
John E. Baggott is P rogram Manager for Raytheon's ongoing Middle East Border Guard modernization program. He is responsible for the analysis of current capabilities, threats and vulnerabilities, and in the development of a proactive solution that secures the borders against external and internal attacks that are designed to overthrow both the government and its leaders.
Prior to his service with Raytheon, he served as Director of Business Planning and Development for The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians where he was responsible for the analysis and integration of new businesses and organizations. In addition, he was involved in the development of strategic relationships and the management of internal resources to ensure successful partnership, alignment and execution.
Baggott also served as Brigade Commander of a 2000-person organization responsible for the training, mobilization and operational deployment of over 30,000 soldiers living in the Southeastern United States for the National Guard. He was also selected by the Chief of Staff, United States Army to serve in the capacity of Chief Executive Actions. He has also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Operations and Battalion Commander.
He received a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma , a Master's in Strategic Planning from the U.S. Army War College and his
B.S. in Business from San Jose State University.
Bill Bartlett
President and co-owner
First American Plastic Molding Enterprise
Bill Bartlett is the President and co-owner of First American Plastic Molding Enterprise. Bill began his career in plastics and manufacturing in college when he received an A.A.S. in Plastic Technology and a B.S. in Industrial Technology. After college, Bill worked for Phillips Products Company, a subsidiary of Phillips Petroleum Company, where he gained experience in all facets of the industry including engineering, quality control, production, and sales. From 1977 to 2001, Bill was the owner of Ferdon Plastics where he grew his customer base to include a blue chip roster of companies such as Pepsi, Elixir Industies , and Federal Mogul, among others. In 2001, the Tribe purchased Ferdon Plastics, and Bill was asked to serve as the President of First American Plastic Molding Enterprise which has operations in Mississippi and Illinois . Bill is also participating in many international development initiatives for the Tribe and its companies in both Asia and Europe . He is a Senior member of the Society of Plastic Engineers. Bill lives in South Beloit , Illinois . He and his wife Linda, have two children, ages 15 and 25.
Dr. Cecil Burge
Vice President for Research and Economic Development
The University of Southern Mississippi
Dr. Cecil D. Burge presently serves as vice president for research and economic development at The University of Southern Mississippi. Since 1970 at Southern Miss, he has obtained experience in virtually every position and role associated with the research enterprise—from the novice faculty researcher to the functions of chief research officer. This includes serving in various administrative positions such as technology transfer officer, director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and as associate vice president for research.
As a faculty researcher, Burge has conducted numerous externally sponsored projects in the areas of rural health care delivery, applications of mobile communications technology, software engineering, and technology-based economic development. Projects in his portfolio have included organizationally challenging efforts crossing multiple agencies, states, disciplines, and universities. Many of these projects have involved university consortia and academic-industrial-government partnerships.
As a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science, Burge led the effort to obtain Southern Miss' first accreditation in computer science and later served on the national accrediting agency, the Computer Sciences Accreditation Board. In this capacity, he also served as director of the Software Engineering Laboratory, a technology transfer and product development group.
As an entrepreneur, Burge established and managed a program of research, development, and consulting for the 501 c( 3) R & D corporation, SCRI , Inc. This position enabled him to focus on software development for vertical applications in local government and emergency service systems. His industrial employment includes experience in the aerospace and petroleum industries. Consulting assignments include professional engineering practice in regulated local/state legal environments dealing with public safety and property.
He holds a bachelor's degree and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Mississippi State and is a registered professional engineer.
Alice M. Clark
Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Dr. Alice M. Clark is The University of Mississippi's (UM) vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs. She is the spokesperson for research and sponsored programs divisions which work to facilitate research and research funding as well as providing support for all funded projects at UM. During her tenure as vice chancellor, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has worked to achieve further accreditation, increased levels of funding, as well as partnerships with other academic institutions and the private sector. The ORSP promotes a model of service while pursuing research for the benefit of the university, the state, and the nation.
Clark previously served as director of the UM National Center for Natural Products Research and was the 1996 Rho Chi National Lecturer, the top award presented by the national pharmaceutical honor society. The Frederick A.P. Barnard Distinguished Professor joined the faculty in 1979 as a postdoctoral research associate, and she has authored or contributed to more than 100 peer-reviewed research articles and numerous invited book chapters, nonrefered publications and presentations. A member of the Board of Directors of the UM Research Foundation, Clark has extensive experience as a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health, several other agencies and private foundations.
She has served on the AIDS and Related Research Experimental Therapeutics Study Section and on the Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry Study Section of the National Institutes of Health, and is associate editor of the Journal of Natural Products . She also is a reviewer for the journals Phytochemistry , Infection and Immunity , Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and Annals of Pharmacotherapy . She is past president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy and an American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Fellow, a designation limited to the association's top pharmaceutical scientists. In 1989, she was awarded the Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Outstanding Teaching and Scholarship, and was an American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education Fellow.
A native of Pensacola , Fla. , Clark holds a Bachelor's Degree in microbiology from Troy ( Ala. ) State University and Master's and Doctoral Degrees in pharmacognosy from UM. She served for a year as a Robert F. Welch Fellow at the Drug Dynamics Institute at the University of Texas before returning to UM.
Lester L. Dalme
President & CEO
Chahta Enterprise
After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern State University in 1970, Lester Dalme worked for Armstrong Rubber Company in Natchez , MS . In 1973, he was the second Mississippian hired by Packard Electric, a Division of General Motors in Clinton , Mississippi , where he held a variety of managerial positions. In 1980, he was hired as plant manager of Chahta Enterprise, the Tribe's first manufacturing company. Chahta produces automotive and non-automotive electrical wiring harnesses. Since that time, Lester has held the position of Director of Operations, and became President and CEO of Chahta Enterprise in 1988. Lester has helped the Tribe grow Chahta from 57 employees to a multi-national operation with over 1500 employees in four states and Mexico . Lester has also diversified Chahta to include a commercial laundry operation, a domestic commercial manufacturing operation and an international manufacturing operation. Chahta is the parent company of Applied Geo Technologies, Inc., which is the Tribe's first tribally chartered corporation and high-tech services company. Lester has served on many Tribal and community organizations and currently serves as co-chairman on the Board of Advisors for the Choctaw Boys & Girls Club. He is also a commissioner for the Choctaw Boxing Commission. Lester lives in Hattiesburg , MS , with his wife Pamela. His favorite pastime is spending time with his two daughters and three grandsons who also live in Hattiesburg , MS .
Joseph S. Dillon
Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Development Services
The Mattson Jack Group
Mr. Dillon is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with over 20 years of experience. He has extensive experience in global pharmaceutical business development, planning and analysis, corporate finance, M&A, licensing, and technology valuations. Prior to joining MJG, Mr. Dillon was CFO and interim CEO, President, and Director of The Pharmaceutical Development Center, a pharmaceutical developer and manufacturer. His previous positions include President of Dillon Technologies, Inc., a pharmaceutical consulting firm; EVP and CFO of Vail Banks, Inc., a publicly held multi-bank holding company, COO and later CFO, Secretary and Treasurer of Oread Inc., a contract pharmaceutical developer and manufacturer; and various planning and corporate development positions with the predecessor companies of Sanofi-Aventis . Mr. Dillon is an active Licensing Executive Society member and is often an invited speaker at pharmaceutical industry meetings. He holds an M.B.A. and a Bachelor's in Finance.
John Hendrix
Assistant Director
Office of Economic Development, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
John Hendrix manages the Economic Development efforts for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. In this position, he is responsible for the creation and implementation of the strategic economic development plan for the Mississippi Choctaws which includes high-tech industry, international development, retail/commercial development, land-use planning, and small business development. During his 12 year tenure with the Tribe, Hendrix has participated in the development and start-up of six Tribally-owned companies representing an investment of more than $500 million. In January 2004, John became a Certified Economic Developer ( CEcD ) by the International Economic Development Council and an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) by the National Development Council. John is a 1992 graduate of Millsaps College , and he is currently pursuing his MBA through Duke University which includes residencies on four continents. John serves on several Advisory Boards such as the Mississippi World Trade Center , Community Development Partnership, Philadelphia Main Street Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Fannie Mae Mississippi. John lives in Philadelphia , Mississippi with his wife and two children.
Allen Hines
President
Applied Geo Technologies, Inc.
Allen Hines is seeking his Master's Degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi and has a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies from Salisbury State University . After college, Allen was a senior consultant with Booz -Allen & Hamilton, Inc., an international management consulting company, in their Maryland and Colorado offices. He has also held several senior management posts at LAND INFO International, LLC and ISSI Consulting Group, Inc. Allen was hired as President of Applied Geo Technologies, Inc. in November 2001 to help the Tribe start-up its first high-tech business operation. In that capacity, he oversees all aspects of the company including corporate direction, business development, strategic alliances, and operations. AGT has experienced tremendous growth and in 2005, it was ranked #99 in the Mississippi Business Journal's –Mississippi Business 100 of the top privately owned companies. He is on the Board of Advisors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Allen lives in Philadelphia , Mississippi.
Donald L. Kilgore
Attorney General, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Donald L. Kilgore, a Neshoba County native, currently serves as Tribal Attorney General for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Prior to his service with the Tribe, he practiced privately for 27 years as a partner in the firm of Alford, Thomas, and Kilgore. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1971 from the University of Mississippi and a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1973.
In October 1973, he was called to active duty by the United States Air Force and assigned to the 314 th Combat Support Group as a Staff Judge Advocate at the rank of Captain. After completing his tour of duty in 1978, he returned to Philadelphia and went into private practice.
He is admitted to practice in Tribal, State, and Federal Courts including the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Military Appeals. He is a past president of the Neshoba County Bar Association and currently serves as President of the Choctaw Bar Association. He was named a fellow of the Mississippi Bar Association in 2002 and currently serves as a member of the Governors Judicial Selection Committee.
He is the past president of the Philadelphia-Neshoba County Chamber of Commerce and past Chairman of the State Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Baptist Health Systems and on the Board of Directors of The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia.
Meghan Millea
Associate Professor of Economics
College of Business & Finance, Mississippi State University
Meghan Millea is an Associate Professor of Economics with Mississippi State , a Research Fellow of the Social Science Research Center and Mississippi Health Policy Research Center , and an Associate Director of the MSU Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy. As well as teaching economics to hundreds of student each year as Mississippi State , Dr. Millea is involved in outreach programs for Mississippi K-12 teachers. Through the State Council of Economic Education, she travels the state providing workshops on economic curriculum. Her research interests have included economic impact studies, such as the impact of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians enterprises on the Mississippi economy. More recently she has examined the impacts of Federal Medicaid spending on the state, regional, and local economies of Mississippi . She is currently involved in a study of economic education programming in Russia.
Richard L. “Chuck” Miller
CEO
Pearl River Resort
Richard L. ‘Chuck' Miller comes to Pearl River Resort after three decades of successful experience in the Gaming industry. A native of Lebanon , Pennsylvania , Miller received his B.S. from West Chester State University in 1968. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served a 14 month tour of duty in Vietnam with the 1st Squadron, 4th Calvary unit of the 1st Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged in 1970.
Upon completion of his military career, Miller moved to Nevada where he earned a post-graduate education at the University of Nevada , Las Vegas and worked numerous jobs in the casinos. In 1978, Miller moved to Northern Nevada where he worked in different capacities with several casinos in the area including the Sahara Tahoe, Reno MGM Grand, Reno Hilton and Reno Peppermill Hotel Casinos. Over the next several years, Miller gained invaluable experience in the gaming industry while working in positions ranging from dealer and casino shift manager to Vice President of Marketing. Miller also owned and operated the Alpine Academy of Dealing, a school for both dealer and casino supervisory training.
In 1992, Miller joined Grand Casinos, Inc., as the Regional Vice President of Marketing for Grand Casino Gulfport and Grand Casino Biloxi, to oversee pre-opening and operating marketing for the two largest floating casino resorts on the Gulf Coast . In 1994, he was promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager of Grand Casino Coushatta, partnering with the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to open and operate a highly successful casino resort in Kinder, Louisiana.
In 1996, he was promoted to Executive Vice President / General Manager for Grand Casino Tunica, a 2,200 acre casino resort featuring 140,000 square feet of gaming, three hotels, multiple restaurants, a 2,500-seat showroom, convention center, championship golf course, RV park and a world-class sporting clays facility.
In 1999, following the merger of Grand Casinos, Inc., into Park Place Entertainment, Miller was named President/General Manager of Grand Casino Tunica and Bally's Tunica. A year later, with the Park Place Entertainment acquisition of Caesars World, Inc., and the addition of a third Park Place Entertainment Tunica property, the Sheraton Tunica, Chuck was named President, Tunica Operations, for the Mid-South Region of Park Place Entertainment.
In 2000, Miller began a consulting assignment for Park Place Entertainment with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, located in upstate New York . Shortly after, as a Corporate Vice President for Park Place Entertainment (renamed Caesars Entertainment, Inc. in January, 2004), he was assigned the added responsibilities of development liaison for the Caesars/St. Regis Mohawk proposed casino resort in Sullivan County, NY, and operational oversight for Casino Nova Scotia, Halifax, and Casino Nova Scotia, Sydney.
Miller has gained hands-on experience in nearly every aspect of casino resort operations while working with some of the best known gaming companies in established and emerging markets throughout the United States .
He and his wife, LoriAnn , have two sons, Justin, 22, Brandon, 8, and a daughter, Jayleen , 10½.
Stephen C. Moss
CEO, AgustaWestland North America Inc.
President, AgustaWestland Inc.
For the past 20 years, Stephen Moss has played an active role in fostering transatlantic business relations between the United States and Europe , and has guided U.S. government relations for a number of high technology European firms. His expertise includes: export licensing, international technology transfer, U.S. government contracting, congressional relations, and business development.
From 1981 to 1986, he was employed with Italian Aircraft Corporation where he served as Research Director and later as Vice President. From 1986 to 1990 he served as Director of Government Relations for the Italian helicopter company, Agusta SpA . While with Agusta , he was responsible for capturing a total of $750 million of U.S. government contracts with the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force. From 1990 to 2001, he continued to serve Agusta as its senior consultant for U.S. government affairs.
In 1990, he founded The Aerie Group Inc.; a Fairfax Virginia based international aviation engineering and consulting firm with offices in Rome , Italy ; Pensacola , Florida ; and Long Beach , California . Moss left The Aerie Group in 2001 to establish AgustaWestland Inc.
Moss received a Bachelor's Degree from Eastern College in history, a Master's Degree in history from Villanova University , and a Master's Degree in international affairs from The George Washington University. While at the School of Public and International Affairs, Moss was a research associate at GWU's Sino-Soviet Institute. There he assisted former Undersecretary of State U. Alexis Johnson in writing his memoir, The Right Hand of Power . Mr. Moss is also a published author in the field of defense policy.
Moss has studied in Austria and Japan and speaks German and Italian. He is a Board Director of the Japan American Student Conference, the longest running student exchange program between Japan and the United States .
He lives in Fairfax , Virginia with his wife Johnnie, and their two daughters, Lauren Ashley and Madison Jane.
Dr. Felix Okojie
Vice President for Research Development, Support and Federal Relations
Jackson State University
Dr. Felix Okojie obtained his Bachelors Degree from Auchi Polytechnic where he graduated summa cum laude in Business Administration. He received a Master of Public Health Degree from Jackson State University , Master of Arts Degree in Medical Sociology and a doctorate degree in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from Atlanta University . Dr. Okojie is also a graduate of the Harvard University 's Institute for Educational Management. He currently serves as Vice President for Research Development, Support and Federal Relations and Professor of Educational Administration at Jackson State University . Over the past fifteen years, he has served in several administrative, research and professional capacities at universities and government, including Senior Research Associate at Atlanta University , and Education Technologist at the Mississippi State Department of Education. He has been proactive in providing administrative, academic and research leadership in several disciplines including Science and Technology, Health Sciences, Education and Social Sciences. In the past ten years, he has devoted considerable energies to the growth of research programs at Jackson State University . He is playing leadership roles in the funding and ongoing implementation of the National Center for Biodefense Communications, Army High Performance Super Computing Center , Center for Defense Integrated Data, and the Jackson Heart Study Coordinating Center , the largest contracted prospective study in the U.S. on cardiovascular disease among African Americans; and negotiated several large contracts with federal agencies. In 2000, Jackson State University was designated by Carnegie classification as a doctoral/research intensive university in the U.S. , and in 2002 was second among HBCU's in research and development expenditures.
A Certified Research Administrator, Dr. Okojie serves on various state and national organization boards including the National Research Administrator Certification Council, the Ad hoc-Committee of the National Council for Minority Health and Health Disparities, and as a Senior Editorial Advisor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Planning and Evaluation's Report to U.S. Congress. A strong proponent of the capabilities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCU's ) to engage in contract opportunities, he has testified orally and in writing on these capabilities to different federal agencies and sub-committees in the U.S. Congress.
Ivy Owen
Community Development Coordinator, Office of Economic Development
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Ivy Owen, a native of Mississippi , has served in the Community and Economic Development field for over 35 years serving with the City of Holly Springs, Mississippi and the City of Memphis and Shelby County governments as Economic Development Director. He was also affiliated with a private real estate development company in Hot Springs , Arkansas before moving back to Mississippi where he now serves as Community Development Coordinator with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians near Philadelphia , Mississippi .
Owen completed the three-year Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas and was awarded the Ernest L. Whitelaw Outstanding Achievement Award for academic excellence. He received his Certified Community Developer designation in June 2004 from the International Community Development Council. He received his formal education at the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with advanced degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Ole Miss with additional advanced study at the National Development Council, the Economic Development Institute, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, the University of Georgia, University of Texas, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech. He is currently working toward his EDFP Certification with the National Development Council. In addition, he is currently implementing the new Choctaw Smart Growth Land Use Code and a new GIS system on the Mississippi Choctaw Reservation near Philadelphia , Mississippi . The Mississippi Choctaws are the first Native American Tribe in the United States to utilize Smart Growth and the principles of New Urbanism in their long range land use planning efforts.
David L. Powe, ED.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Dr. David L. Powe has served as Director of Research Administration with the responsibilities for medical technology transfer, life sciences business development, local/state/federal liaison collaborations, grant and project development, health related workforce development, and health cluster formations.
Dr. Powe retired September 2003 from federal service as a member of the Senior Executive Service and as Director of the Earth Science Applications Directorate at Stennis Space Center . His responsibilities included the coordination of all systems engineering activities, workforce development programs, return on investment (ROI), earned value management (EVM), and affiliated research university activities.
He received his Doctorate in Education Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi, a Master's Degree in social science, and a Bachelor's Degree in social work and psychology from Mississippi State University . He completed additional study at Columbia University in New York City , and was designated a Harvard Fellow in the prestigious Harvard University 's Senior Executive Fellows Program.
Before joining NASA, Dr. Powe was President of Mississippi Delta Community College, and served as superintendent of the McComb Public Schools. Dr. Powe served as a member of the Mississippi Science and Technology Commission and was a member of the Council on Education for the Bi-national Commission of Mexico and the U.S.
Programs led by Dr. Powe have been recognized six times by the National Performance
Review Office with the “Hammer Award” for reinvention of government and by the U.S. Secretary of Education for his achievement in “National Systemic Education Reform.” He also received two “Outstanding Honor Awards” from NASA Headquarters for his work in developing processes to better serve NASA customers. He was recognized by the Navy with the “Superior Public Service Award”, and received the Stennis Space Center 's Outstanding Leadership Award. Prior to retirement from NASA, Dr. Powe was given NASA's top award, the “Medal for Outstanding Leadership”.
Dr. Powe has served in leadership positions in local civic, chamber, and development organizations, as well as active roles in statewide and national educational and scientific efforts.
Dr. Colin Scanes
Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies
Mississippi State University
Dr. Colin G. Scanes is the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies at Mississippi State University . He came to MSU from Iowa State University where he was a Professor
in the Departments of Animal Science and Biomedical Science. He also served as Interim Director in the Plant Science Institute and Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University . Dr. Scanes got his Bachelors Degree in Biological Chemistry and Zoology and Ph.D. at Hull University in the United Kingdom . He also, received his D.Sc. Degree at Hull University .
Dr. Scanes is the author of over 550 publications. He has received numerous awards and honors. His latest being the Bouffault International Agriculture Award from the American Society for Animal Science.
Leland R. Speed
Executive Director
Mississippi Development Authority
Leland R. Speed is the Chairman of EastGroup Properties, Inc., an equity real estate investment firm whose investment emphasis is in the development and ownership of industrial properties in California , Arizona , Texas and Florida . Mr. Speed also serves as the Chairman of Parkway Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership and operation of office properties in the Southeastern United States , Chicago and Texas . Other business interests include the Chairmanship of Delta Industries, Inc., a building materials company.
Most recently, Mr. Speed was named by Governor Haley Barbour as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the state's lead economic development agency. The Mississippi Development Authority has oversight of federal and state funding sources totaling some $170 million dollars with 310 employees. The agency's primary goals are to prudently administer taxpayer dollars to recruit business and industry, assist existing industries, market Mississippi as a tourist destination, and provide community assistance and support.
Born in Jackson , Mississippi , Speed graduated from the Jackson public school system, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and was awarded the Masters Degree in Business Administration by the Harvard Business School .
Speed also served as Airman 3/C and Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served in intelligence with Strategic Air Command.
Active in civic affairs, he is the past Chairman of Downtown Jackson Partners -- Jackson 's downtown business improvement district. He is past chairman of the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Capital Area, serves as Chairman of the Jackson State University Development Foundation, and as a member and past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College.
Speed, and his wife, the former Bessie Sarphie , have three sons, and eight grandchildren.
Frederick M. Strader
President and CEO
United Industrial Corporation ( UIC ) and AAI Corporation, a United Industrial subsidiary.
Fred Strader became President and Chief Executive Officer of UIC on August 1, 2003 , and before that served as President and Chief Operating Officer of AAI .
Earlier, he served as vice president and general manager of AAI Corporation's Defense Systems segment and executive vice president of AAI Corporation.
United Industrial Corporation designs, produces, and supports defense systems. Its products and services include unmanned aerial vehicle systems, training and simulation systems, automated aircraft test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, logistical and engineering services, and other leading-edge technology solutions for defense needs. The company also manufactures combustion equipment for biomass and refuse fuels.
Before joining AAI in 2001, Strader had a distinguished 21-year career with United Defense LP and its predecessor company, FMC , including 16 years devoted to the development and production of defense related technologies.
He had been vice president of United Defense and general manager of the company's Armament Systems Division, the unit that designs, produces, and supports missile launching systems and large caliber gun systems for the U.S. Navy, Army, and Marine Corps.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Strader was division manager of FMC 's Agriculture Machinery Division, manager of strategic planning for FMC , and served in a number of increasingly responsible planning, financial, and manufacturing positions within the company's Steel Products Division. He joined FMC as a corporate financial analyst in 1980.
Strader earned a Master of Business Administration Degree in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ripon College .
Following his undergraduate studies, he served on active duty for four years with the U.S. Army, followed by 22 years as a reserve officer in the Army Acquisition Corps.
He serves on the Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industries Association and is a member of the Navy League, the Association of the United States Army, and the American Society for Quality Control.
He and his wife, Betty, are the parents of four children.
Timothy Tubby
Executive Director
Choctaw Hospitality Group
In the course of a diverse career spanning 24 years, Tim has proven to be a skilled executive. He has worked with various companies including Texas Instruments and now Pearl River Resort. Previous positions Tim has held within the Tribal system and Pearl River Resort include Vocational Education, Social Services, Director of Head Start, Tribal Planning Office, Director of Quality Control and Acting General Manager of Dancing Rabbit Golf Club. Tim currently serves as Executive Director of Choctaw Hospitality Institute (CHI). CHI develops, designs and implements innovative and quality learning programs to support Resort strategic goals. Tim has worked in partnership with East Central Community College to offer Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology classes at CHI. Another project waiting approval is a Casino Resort Management program from Tulane University which will provide a means for individuals to pursue an associates degree on the reservation. Tim is a member of the Philadelphia Community Development Partnership and East Central Planning and Development District. Tim received a Bachelors degree from Mississippi State University and lives in Choctaw, Mississippi with his wife and two children.
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