Curt Lacy

Linda Mitchell

Wayne Porter

Byron Williams

RAYMOND, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service aims to improve the economic and social well-being of the state with the addition of four new regional coordinators.

“I want MSU Extension to be both influential in our clients’ lives and efficient at helping them. To do that effectively, we needed someone to help guide staff and manage the organization’s resources in each region,” said Extension Director Gary Jackson. “In addition to day-to-day operations, the regional coordinators can give the Research and Extension Center heads additional perspective when making important decisions.”

Regional coordinators Curt Lacy, Linda Mitchell and Wayne Porter assumed their duties in March. Byron Williams will begin Dec. 1.

Lacy serves the northwest region and works from the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville. Mitchell serves the northeast region and works from the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona. Porter serves the southeast region and works from the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. Williams will serve the southwest region and work from the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond.

As regional Extension coordinators and associate Extension professors, they provide direction for MSU’s outreach efforts and guide area specialists, county agents and county staff in understanding, planning, developing and implementing educational programs intended to help Mississippians make informed decisions about their cultural, economic and social well-being.

Lacy, a native of Lucedale, was an area farm management specialist with the University of Tennessee and a livestock economist with the University of Georgia before accepting this position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from MSU.

Mitchell began her career with Extension in Union County where she was a family and consumer science and 4-H agent. She also served as northeast district director in the early 2000s. She most recently was an Extension 4-H youth development specialist.

Porter, who previously was a regional Extension horticulture specialist in Lauderdale County, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MSU and a doctorate from North Carolina State University. He also has previous work experience with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.

Williams, a native of Lincoln County, joins the southwest district after serving as an Extension and research specialist of muscle foods in the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. He also served as assistant to the dean for the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at MSU. Before joining MSU, he spent 15 years with Sarah Lee Corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s and doctoral degrees in food science from MSU.