Stacey Pickering is officially out at the MSVA.
According to a press release from the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board, the executive director will be retiring from government service effective July 11. His chief of staff, Melissa Wade, will also be leaving the department to “pursue other endeavors outside of MSVA.”
“The Board thanks both Director Pickering and Mrs. Wade for their service to Mississippi’s 187,000 Veterans and their families over the last four and three years, respectively,” MSVA Board Chairman Gen. (Ret.) James H. Garner said. “We want to assure our Veterans and their families that our mission will continue. There are hundreds of team members at Mississippi Veterans Affairs that you don’t see every day. Still, their passion and purpose truly drive our superior service, care, and assistance to America’s heroes through our mission programs and resources.”
Pickering, who is part of the Mississippi National Guard, has served as executive director of the MSVA since 2018. He previously held the office of state auditor from 2009 to 2018 and state senator from 2004 to 2008. Mark Smith, MSVA’s current Deputy Director, will serve as Interim Executive Director while the Veterans Affairs Board begins searching for a new leader of the agency.
