MDA Appoints New Executives

MDA PRESS RELEASE

Jackson, Miss. (Nov. 20, 2015) — Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr., has named Daron Wilson interim director of Visit Mississippi, and Jeff Rent to the role of interim chief marketing officer.

Wilson has been with MDA since 2008, and he will help Visit Mississippi continue its mission of promoting Mississippi as a premier tourist destination around the world. Prior to this appointment he was MDA’s disaster recovery chief operating officer, where he helped oversee more than $5.4 billion in Hurricane Katrina disaster recovery funds. Wilson also has oversight of state-owned ports that include the Port of Gulfport and Yellow Creek Port.

Rent has been with MDA for more than two years as the public relations and media manager. Before joining the agency he worked as the director of external affairs for Mississippi Emergency Management Agency where he was responsible for public information, marketing and government relations. Rent is also an award-winning journalist and broadcast meteorologist, and he has worked for television stations in several states.

“Daron and Jeff are proven and effective leaders, and I appreciate their willingness to step into these important leadership roles” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “They both care deeply about helping grow the state’s economy through economic development and tourism and they will continue to provide the outstanding level of service our partners have come to expect.”

Wilson and Rent will assume their new roles on Nov. 23.