The CMPDD Board of Directors on June 8, 2015 approved the appointment of Mike Monk as the new CEO effective August 1, 2015 to succeed Clarke Holmes who announced his retirement after serving the organization for 44 years (42 years as CEO). Mike is no stranger to CMPDD, having served in various capacities with the organization for over 23 years, most recently serving as Director of Community and Economic Development. Mike is a native of Mendenhall in Simpson County where he resided for much of his life. Earlier this year, Mike and his wife Becky Shows Monk moved to Rankin County near Florence to be closer to the Jackson Metro Area.
At the Board of Directors meeting on September 9th, Mike outlined the CMPDD Work Program for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 that included the following priorities:
- Evaluate and implement a paperless office environment at CMPDD to improve efficiency and reduce paperwork. A Data Users Group of employees at CMPDD has been assembled to help investigate and research software and hardware solutions that will serve as the backbone of the system.
- Implement an Electronic Notification System for the various committee members at CMPDD. The system is now in place for those who have opted to receive email correspondence for the Board of Directors, Steering Committee, and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). This system will also be offered to other District committees such as the Southcentral Mississippi Works (SMW), Aging Advisory Committee, and others.
- Promote the region and help make it the best place to live, work, and raise a family by working collectively to support community and economic development efforts, workforce development, services to the elderly, and planning for transportation and infrastructure needs.
As CEO, Mike plans to continue to have greater visibility and interaction with all of our local governments. He plans to visit with local Mayors and County Supervisors periodically to make sure CMPDD staff are providing the highest level of attention and service possible. Mike welcomes your comments and suggestions, and please know his door is always open.