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ON JULY 16

Posted by Wes Brooks on Jul 15, 2019

DR. ROBERT WILLIAMS • SUPERINTENDENT, HPSD

Robert Williams has worked in education for over 19 years, with 17 of those years being in the Hattiesburg Public School System. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, Specialist in Education Degree in Education Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Williams earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and a Master of Education in Elementary Education from William Carey College.

Prior to his appointment as Superintendent, he served as principal of N.R. Burger Middle School. Under his leadership and with unwavering commitment from staff, students, and parents, N.R. Burger Middle has transformed from a school labeled “At Risk of Failing” in 2008 to “High Performing-High Progress” in 2012. In 2012, N.R. Burger received the “Champion of Change” award from Mississippi Department of Education. Dr. Williams has been involved with and participated in numerous steering and selection committees, and he was selected as Hattiesburg Public School District Administrator of the Year (2011-2012 & 2015-2016) by his peers. Additionally, he represented Mississippi Congressional District Four (4) as finalist for Mississippi Administrator of the Year.

Dr. Williams feels that teamwork is the ultimate way a school can be successful in reaching it goals of “Academic Proficiency and Social Responsibility” for ALL students.

Dr. Williams is married to Angela Givens Williams, an Assistant United States Attorney with Office of the United States Attorney, Southern District of Mississippi. They are the parents of Anna-Grace Williams and Louis Alexander Williams.

MINUTES: July 9, 2019

Posted on Jul 15, 2019

Our thanks to Hattiesburg ADP Exec. VP-Economic Development, Todd Jackson, for providing our program last Tuesday. Todd is flanked by Chris Dunkley (left) and Steven Utroska (right).

TONY VANCE • HHS

Tony Vance is Athletics Director and Head Coach of the 2019 Class 5A Region 4 South State Champion and 2018 State Champion Hattiesburg High Tigers Football Team.

Prior to his arrival in Hattiesburg, Vance was the head coach at Charleston High School. While at Charleston he compiled an overall record of 60-10 in five seasons as the head coach. Over the course of those five seasons, his team never lost a division game and won 5 straight division titles. In 2011 Vance led his team to the 3A State Championship. His team averaged 39 points per game. In 2012 his Charleston Tigers made a second consecutive trip to the state championship game. Offensively the Tigers averaged 42 points per game. Coach Vance also has stops on his resume at Olive Branch High School and Coffeeville High School. Coach Vance grew up in Tippo, MS where he was the 12^th of 13 children. He is a proud 1993 graduate of Charleston High School. He received his Associate’s Degree from Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, MS. He went on to receive both his BS and Masters Degree from MVSU in Itta Bena, MS.

Coach Vance is beginning his 20^th year in the coaching profession and his message to his players has remained the same. “Do What’s Right, and be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.”

Tony is married to the former Vernida Harris of Charleston. They have four children, Cedric, Keasia, Ty’Keria, and Tony II (Deuce).

NEXT WEEK

Posted by Wes Brooks on Jul 02, 2019

TODD JACKSON • HATTIESBURG ADP

Todd Jackson spent the first ten years of his career as an Engineer in advanced manufacturing facilities around the country and is now utilizing that background to serve the Area Development Partnership as Executive Vice President of Economic Development. Todd’s focus in this role is to support the recruitment of new investment and jobs to Greater Hattiesburg and work with existing employers on their growth needs in the community. He is responsible for working with private sector businesses and local entities of government on economic development initiatives that support the growth of the Greater Hattiesburg economy.

The first seven years of Todd’s career were spent in the engineering ranks of GE Plastics in New York, Indiana, and Alabama as a part of GE’s Operations Management and Leadership Program. This unique experience afforded him the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills in the manufacturing sector, as well as exposure to hands-on engineering practices in a variety of advanced manufacturing facilities. In 2011, Todd was afforded the privilege of moving back home and spent three years in technical leadership roles with a new hi-tech startup company.

A native of Poplarville, Mississippi, Todd is a 2004 graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, and since moving to Hattiesburg, thoroughly enjoys cheering on his hometown team, the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. He serves as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Crosspoint Community Church and serves the church and local community as much as possible.

In 2013, Todd was honored by his Leadership Pinebelt Class with the Susan Walker Community Leadership Award, for exemplifying outstanding leadership and commitment to the enhancement of Greater Hattiesburg. He is also a graduate of the 2018 Leadership Mississippi class. Todd and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy family time with their two young boys Nolan (9) and Grant (5).