Jamie Miller is leaving the Mississippi Gulf Coast Business Council for a leadership position at Mississippi Power, the largest electric utility in the southeastern portion of the state.
Mississippi Power announced Thursday that Miller has been named senior director of economic, workforce, and community development, a newly expanded leadership role that “reflects the company’s commitment to helping communities grow, businesses succeed, and Mississippi prosper,” according to a news release.
The new role brings Mississippi Power’s economic development, workforce development, community development, and philanthropic divisions under one leader. The release said the position was created to create alignment around initiatives that support job creation, workforce readiness, community investment, and long-term economic growth.
“Mississippi has a tremendous opportunity ahead, and Mississippi Power is committed to helping our communities capture that opportunity,” Mississippi Power President and CEO Pedro Cherry explained. “Economic development, workforce development, community investment, and philanthropy are deeply connected.
“Bringing those responsibilities together under one leader strengthens our ability to be an even stronger partner to the communities we serve while helping create opportunities that improve quality of life across our state.”
According to Cherry, Miller was the perfect choice for the role.
“Jamie understands what it takes to bring people together around a shared vision for growth,” Cherry said. “He has built trusted relationships throughout the Gulf Coast and across Mississippi, and he understands the critical connection between economic opportunity, workforce readiness, and strong communities. His leadership will help Mississippi Power further strengthen its role as a catalyst for growth and prosperity while deepening its commitment to the communities we are privileged to serve.”
Miller was most recently president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council, a position he accepted in August 2022. He led regional initiatives focused on economic competitiveness, workforce development, innovation, and quality of life, the release said, and helped align private-sector, government, and community leaders.
Last month, Miller and the Gulf Coast Business Council announced the creation of a select committee to advance its regional “Plan of Plans,” the goal being to create growth by unifying economic, infrastructure, and community goals across the state’s three coastal counties.
Miller’s career has also included leadership roles with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi Development Authority.
“I am honored to join Mississippi Power and excited about the opportunity to help advance the company’s commitment to communities across our state,” Miller said. “Mississippi’s future is bright, and I look forward to working alongside local leaders, economic developers, businesses, and community partners to help create opportunities that benefit current and future generations.”
As part of a transition plan agreed on by Miller, Mississippi Power, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Business Council, Miller will continue supporting the Gulf Coast Business Council while the organization conducts a search for its next chief executive. Mississippi Power is a member and key partner of the Gulf Coast Business Council.
