JACKSON, Miss. – May 14, 2026 – AccelerateMS, Mississippi’s leading office for workforce development strategy and coordination, welcomes three new members across the organization: Wayne Dang, systems administrator; Jolene Milligan, administrative assistant; and Dr. Shari Watkins, career development manager.
Dang brings extensive experience in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, systems administration, and technical support. He most recently served as IT network/cybersecurity manager at the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, where he oversaw the design, implementation, and maintenance of an organization’s secure network infrastructure, managing security protocols, threat detection, and staff to protect digital assets and data integrity.
His background also included roles as network infrastructure specialist, lead systems administrator, and ITS manager with the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration and the city of Madison. He attended Hinds Community College, studying information systems technologies, and built a career centered on technical problem-solving, systems administration, and reliable service delivery.
Milligan joins AccelerateMS as an administrative assistant, bringing experience in administrative support, scheduling, customer service, and team coordination. She most recently served as an account manager at It’s Vinyl Y’all, where she was the primary liaison between the customer, graphic designer, production team, and installers. She worked with each customer from start to finish, displaying the utmost customer service to ensure each project, no matter the size, was given the best possible experience. She also brought leadership and training experience from Chick-fil-A and Mac Haik Ford, including managing schedules for more than 100 team members while balancing budget and operational needs.
Dr. Watkins brings more than 15 years of experience in K-12 education, workforce readiness initiatives, and educator development. She most recently served as student services coordinator at Madison Career and Technical Center in the Madison County School District, where she managed student support initiatives, tracked student progress, and collaborated with teachers and administrators to strengthen career readiness and postsecondary planning. She also served as a synchronous scorer for Pearson Education through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Watkins earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from William Carey University, along with a Specialist in Education, a Master of Education, and a Bachelor of Science from the university.
About AccelerateMS
AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies that connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations with complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community, and statewide economic prosperity.