Gov. Tate Reeves has announced a round of eight appointments within state government.
On Thursday, the Republican announced the following appointees, who will still need to be confirmed by the Senate before their tenure begins.
Bill Ashley, Mississippi Department of Employment Security executive director
Dr. William J. “Bill” Ashley is set to take over as executive director of MDES after serving nearly four years as director of Business Research and Workforce Development under the Mississippi Development Authority. Ashley previously served as president of Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. He holds degrees from Mississippi State and Delta State.
Rhoshunda Kelly, Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance commissioner
Rhoshunda Kelly was reappointed commissioner of DBCF after initially being appointed by Reeves in March 2021. Kelly previously served in a variety of positions within the department, including deputy commissioner, director of bank supervision, and field examiner. With over 20 years of regulatory experience, Kelly was named a 2019 Leader in Finance by the Mississippi Business Journal and serves on the Conference of State Bank Supervisors Board of Directors. She holds degrees from LSU and Mississippi State.
Billye Jean Stroud, Mississippi State Board of Education member
Billye Jean Stroud was appointed to represent the Third Supreme Court District on the SBE. Stroud’s background includes 25 years in higher education and eight years devoted to community development initiatives. Since 2018, she has served as director of Community Development and Main Street for the city of New Albany. Prior to that, she worked for Discover Financial Services and the Mississippi College School of Law. She holds degrees from Mississippi College and Ole Miss.
Matt Mayo, Mississippi State Board of Education member
Matthew “Matt” Mayo was appointed to join Stroud as a new face on the SBE. In line to represent the First Supreme Court District on the SBE, Mayo works in finance but has served on multiple school boards. He currently works as Chief Banking Office for Community Bank of Mississippi, where he held a variety of positions before being promoted. Mayo currently serves on the Northwest Rankin High School Booster Club Board and as previously an advisory board member for the Dubard School of Language Disorders, a board member for the Lamar County School District, and a board member for the Oak Grove Athletic Association. He holds degrees from LSU, Samford, and the University of South Alabama.
Donald Clark, Jr., Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees member
Donald Clark, Jr., is one of four new IHL Board of Trustees members appointed by Reeves. Clark, who is in line to represent the First Supreme Court District, is currently of counsel to Butler Snow, LLP. He previously served as chairman and helped the firm’s Ridgeland branch grow from 120 to 400 attorneys before stepping down in 2019. He holds degrees from Southern Miss and Ole Miss.
Jerry Griffith, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees member
Jerry Griffith was appointed to represent the Second Supreme Court District on the IHL Board of Trustees. Griffith has over 40 years of experience in government, previously serving on the Mississippi Gaming Commission and as an internal revenue agent. A Navy veteran, Griffith holds a degree from Delta State.
Jimmy Heidelberg, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees member
James “Jimmy” Heidelberg was also appointed represent the Second Supreme Court District on the IHL Board of Trustees. Heidelberg is a founding partner of Heidelberg, Steinberger, Burrow, & Armer, P.A. He’s been listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” since 1999. In 2013, he was selected as “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of medical malpractice, and in 2016, he was selected as “Lawyers of the Year” for the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the area of personal injury litigation. Since 2012, Heidelberg has served on the Mississippi Oil & Gas Board under three lieutenant governors. He holds degrees from Southern Miss and Ole Miss.
Charlie Stephenson, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees member
Charles “Charlie” Stephenson was appointed to represent the Third Supreme Court District on the IHL Board of Trustees. Stephenson is currently the CEO of Heartland Natural Resource, LLC, and manager of the Stephenson Family Foundation. He is also the president of the Mississippi State Bulldog Club Board of Directors, member of the Mississippi State Foundation Board of Directors, and advisory member for Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering. He holds a degree from Mississippi State.
