Video: McCullough Named to Head MDA

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JACKSON—Gov. Phil Bryant today named Glenn McCullough Jr. as executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. Bryant made the announcement at the 66th annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council.

McCullough is the former chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority, former director of the Appalachian Regional Commission and former mayor of Tupelo, Miss. During his tenure at TVA, the utility earned national recognition for its economic development efforts and achieved record goals for capital investment and job growth.

“Glenn McCullough is an outstanding and accomplished leader, and I am very pleased to appoint him to lead the Mississippi Development Authority,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “He shares my passion for economic development, and he has a proven record of achieving results. He can build a consensus and get things done. We have great momentum in Mississippi, and Glenn will take that success to the next level.”

McCullough was appointed to the TVA board in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. He was named chairman by President George W. Bush and served in that position from July 2001 to May 2005. During that time, TVA launched its megasite program. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Mississippi’s first original equipment manufacturer in the automobile industry, is located on a TVA megasite.

On appointment from Gov. Kirk Fordice, McCullough served as executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission from 1993-1997. The ARC is federal-state partnership that focuses on economic development in 13 states.

McCullough was elected mayor of Tupelo, Miss., in 1997 and served until his appointment to TVA. During McCullough’s service as mayor, Tupelo launched the 50-acre Fairpark District, which includes major revitalizations, community amenities and business locations.

“Gov. Bryant is Mississippi’s chief economic developer, and his relentless focus on job creation and business recruitment is generating tremendous results. I am very honored by this appointment,” McCullough said. “MDA plays a pivotal role in fostering an environment where businesses can reach their goals and expand economic opportunities, and we will ratchet up the success the state is already experiencing. We have tremendous resources in Mississippi—from our workforce and our training programs to our partnerships with regional and local economic developers and our higher education network. I look forward to showcasing these strengths to local companies and international corporations.”

“Governor Bryant has made an excellent choice to position Mississippi for the next generation of economic development success, building on the strong base that has already been established over the last three years,” said Blake A. Wilson, President of the Mississippi Economic Council, the State Chamber. “Glenn McCullough is the gold standard.  He has the proven career management know-how to focus MDA’s marketing programs with laser precision. He also has the experience to deploy resources wisely to boost workforce development, existing business and industry expansion and tourism, while continuing to put Mississippi in the place of greatest opportunity.”

McCullough holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Mississippi State University. He and his wife Laura have two sons and one granddaughter and are members of Lee Acres Church of Christ.