An interim executive director has been appointed to lead the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
Governor Tate Reeves has appointed Robin Stewart as the interim director following the retirement of Jackie Turner.
“Robin currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director of Workforce Programs and oversees all MDES staff in WIN Job Centers throughout the state, and I am pleased that she has accepted this interim appointment,” Governor Reeves said. “Her over 30 years of service at MDES overseeing workforce programs makes her well-qualified and demonstrates the dedication she has for helping Mississippians get jobs.”
Prior to her role as the deputy executive director, Stewart served as director of the Office of Job Connections, area director over WIN Job Centers, and as a WIN Job Center manager. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Administration.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity from Governor Reeves. I look forward to continuing to fulfill the agency’s mission of ‘Helping Mississippians Get Jobs,'” Stewart said.
While no official announcement was ever made, it was reported by Mississippi Today that Turner gave her resignation—taking effect September 30th—back in mid August, citing the decision to spend more time with her family.
Turner had been with MDES for 27 years and served as the executive director since 2019. She was initially appointed by then-Governor Phil Bryant before she was reappointed when Governor Reeves took office.
