About AccelerateMS

Vision
Mississippi will have a world-class workforce with unlimited, quality career opportunities to create sustained individual, community and statewide economic prosperity.

Mission
AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies to connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations that hold complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community and statewide economic prosperity.

Ecosystem-health
Ecosystem-Map

The AccelerateMS Ecosystem approach is designed to develop and improve strategies that meet the unique needs of specific regions within the state. We seek to maximize proven practices delivered at local “micro” levels, while addressing “macro” concerns in an effort to meet the current and emergent needs of Mississippi's workforce.

Each ecosystem has a dedicated AccelerateMS team member, who serves as the central point of contact within their sphere of influence. Each ecosystem routinely reviews labor market data, supply chain needs, available educational and training resources, and regional/community assets in an effort to more accurately meet needs in real time. Regular meetings with ecosystem stakeholders encourage collaboration and promote the development of workforce strategies focused on the needs of each specific ecosystem.

Executive Team

Miller-Ryan-head

Ryan Miller

Executive Director

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Garrett McInnis

Deputy Director for External Affairs

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Mary Ann Myers

Chief Administrative Officer

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Dr. Courtney Taylor

Deputy Director for Postsecondary Strategy

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Yolonda Boone

Senior Advisor

Program Managers

Gordon-Erin-head

Erin Gordon

Program Manager

601-414-6067
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Shelika Hooker

Program Manager

601-414-6066
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Lori Nail

Program Manager

601-414-6068
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Dr. Cliff Thames

Program Manager

601-414-6086
cthames@acceleratems.org

Ecosystem Coordinators

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Jennifer Levingston

Ecosystem 1

Coahoma, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, and Tunica counties.

601-414-6073
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Bryan-Forrest-head

Forrest Bryan

Ecosystem 2

Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union counties.

601-414-6075
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Suzy Bowman

Ecosystem 2

Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union counties.

601-414-6074
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Gatewood-Kimberley-head

Kimberley Gatewood

Ecosystem 3

Bolivar, Carroll, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Sharkey, Sunflower, and Washington counties.

601-414-6079
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Kari Thomas_

Kari Thomas

Ecosystem 5

Claiborne, Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, and Yazoo counties.

601-414-6081
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LeAnne Nixon

Ecosystem 6

Clarke, Covington, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, Smith, and Wayne counties.

601-414-6082
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Krystle-Culver-head

Krystle Culver

Ecosystem 7

Adams, Amite, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pike, Walthall, and
Jefferson counties.

601-414-6083

kculver@acceleratems.org
Hargrove-Edward-head

Ed Hargrove

Ecosystem 8

Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, and Stone counties.

601-414-6084
ehargrove@acceleratems.org

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Tracy Yanez

Ecosystem 8

Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, and Stone counties.

601-414-6085
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