Mike Monk is a native of Mendenhall in Simpson County, Mississippi and currently lives in Rankin County. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Community and Regional Planning at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1983. An internship with the City of Hattiesburg Planning Department led to the start of his professional planning career. In 1984, Mike joined the City of Jackson Planning Department where he worked in various capacities with the Planning Department, Office of Development Assistance, and Transit Division before joining CMPDD in 1992. Mike started as a Planner at CMPDD assisting local governments with community and economic development projects, and providing planning and zoning technical assistance. Over the years Mike has been involved in almost every facet of the Planning Division operations and served as Director of Community and Economic Development before becoming CEO.