For the third time in the history of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office had the opportunity to host the NASS summer conference in Biloxi last week. After being awarded the bid to host during the NASS 2023 summer conference, we were excited to finally welcome the nearly 400 attendees to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The conference featured close to 30 Secretaries of State, state staff, and corporate affiliates from across the country. All we long, we heard “this is my first time in Mississippi” or “everyone here is so nice.” While this isn’t news to any Mississippian, the affirmation of our Hospitality State was heartwarming and inspiring.
Not only did we have the opportunity to show off the charm and allure of Coastal Mississippi, but our team’s efforts for the SOS Student Ambassador Program were rewarded as it was selected the 2025 IDEAS (Innovation, Dedication, Excellence, and Achievement in Service) Award recipient. While I have long noted this program is by far one of the best things we have started during my tenure, it was encouraging to see my peers acknowledge the efficacy of the program, especially after just received the 2023 IDEAS Awar for the Tackle the Tape initiative.
To complete the “trifecta” (as Minnesota Secretary of State and NASS Immediate Past President Steve Simon stated), I was honored to be sworn in as the 2025-26 NASS President at the close of the conference and look forward to serving the bipartisan organization over the coming year.
Let me be clear, this event didn’t just happen overnight nor is it a reflection of just me. For two years, my staff, along with NASS staff, planned and organized the conference. Through generous Mississippi businesses like Ergon, Horne, Duff Capital Investors, Blue Delta Jeans, Chevron, and Comcast, just to name a few, attendees were introduced to some of Mississippi’s best and brightest. From a private event at Ground Zero with 14-year-old Blues guitarist John Clayton White from Tupelo to an Osprey panel discussion including Laurel natives and HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier, Mississippi showed up and showed out!
So, thank you, Mississippi! You shined bright on the national stage, and I’m proud to continue telling our story!
The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of SuperTalk Mississippi Media.
