Reeves appoints Cook to head MDA

Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed Bill Cork as the executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the state’s economic development agency. 

Cork replaces Laura Hipp Mayer, who served as the agency’s interim executive director since August 2021, who recently left MDA to become assistant commissioner for external relations at the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. 

Cork previously served as the deputy director of the agency.

Before working in state government, he worked at the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, the Texarkana Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Sempra Energy Solutions, according to a news release from the governor’s office. 

Reeves’ appointment will go before the Mississippi Senate for confirmation beginning with Jan. 2's next legislative session. but he can serve as the leader of the agency until the hearing. (Mississippi Today 12/14/23) Gov. Tate Reeves appoints Bill Cork to lead state economic development agency - Mississippi Today