The Jackson County Port Authority Board of Commissioners is a nine-member board comprised of appointees by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Governor of the State of Mississippi. Each of the county’s five supervisors assigns a representative to serve on the Jackson County Port Authority Board of Commissioners for a four- year term. The Governor also appoints four members to the board.
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Charles M. Persons
President
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Persons serves as past President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Foreign Trade Zone; is a member of the Mississippi Association of Life Underwriters; former member of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation; and past President of Pass-Point Life Underwriters Association. He was appointed by District 1 Supervisor Manly Barton and has served on the board since1992.
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Ronald Robinson
Vice-President
Mr. Robinson is President and business agent for the International Longshoremen Association (ILA), Local 1752 and 1967. He is also Vice-President of ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District and serves as a Commissioner on the board of Mississippi Regional Housing Authority #VIII. Mr. Robinson represents Supervisor Tommy Brodnax of District 4 and is serving his third term on the board. |
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James H. Colmer, Jr.
Secretary
A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Mr. Colmer is a partner with the law firm Heidelberg, Steinberger, Colmer and Burrow, P.A. He has served as President, Vice President and Director of the Pascagoula Rotary Club, Director of the United Way of Jackson County and is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi. This is Mr. Colmer’s fourth term on the Jackson County Port Authority. He was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour. |
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Wallace Easley
Mr. Easley is a self-employed businessman and is serving his third term on the board. He is Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Development Director for the Community Care Network, and is a former board member of the Homes of Grace. Mr. Easley was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour. |
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Warren Gautier
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Gautier is a native of Jackson County and a self-employed businessman. He is active in the American Shrimp Association and has served previously on the Jackson County Airport Authority and the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation. Mr. Gautier was appointed by District 3 Supervisor Michael Mangum and is serving his fourth term on the board. |
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J.R. “Jim” Hoskins
J. R. Hoskins, Sr., a graduate of Louisiana State University, has worked for 33 years for Chevron USA at various locations throughout the United States, retiring from the Pascagoula Refinery as Financial Manager. He served in the United States Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and served as President of East Central Civic Association, Vice-President of Jackson County Port Authority, Vice Chairman of Home of Grace. Mr. Hoskins was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour.
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William “Benny” Lassitter
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Lassitter retired from Ingalls Shipbuilding as Vice-President of Operations. He is a member of the Jackson County Home Builder's Association, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the East Gulf Coast Board of Realtors. Mr. Lassitter is serving his second term on the board and was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour. |
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Carolyn Moore
Mrs. Moore is the Chief Professional Officer of the United Way for Jackson & George Counties and is retired from the Jackson County Port Authority after 28 years of service. Mrs. Moore attended the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Moss Point High School. She is a member of the Pascagoula Rotary Club, American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and has served on the Jackson County Civic Action and Head Start Boards as well. She is serving her first term on the board and was appointed by District 2 Supervisor Melton Harris.
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Gregory L. Williams
A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Mr. Williams is a Mississippi Real Estate Broker and a self-employed business man. He is an active real estate investor with many years in real estate brokerage, property management and development. He owns a public for-profit water and sewer utility company and is a retired USAF pilot. He is a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Mississippi Rural Water Association and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. He is serving his first term on the board following his appointment by District 5 Supervisor John McKay.
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John L. Hunter
Attorney for the Board
Mr. Hunter is a partner with Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick, P.A. He is a former Assistant District Attorney for Jackson County, a member of the Mississippi Bar, the American Bar Association, Mississippi Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Hunter has served as attorney for the Port Authority since 1992. |
