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

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Dr. Courtney Taylor

Executive Director

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Garrett McInnis

Deputy Director for External Affairs

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Mary Ann Myers

Chief Operations Officer

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Yolonda Boone

Senior Advisor

Program Managers

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Erin Gordon

Industry Engagement Manager

601-414-6067
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Ed Hargrove

Federal Projects Manager

601-414-6084
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Shelika Hooker

Adult Programs Manager

601-414-6066
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Lori Nail

Youth Programs Manager

601-414-6068
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Dr. Cliff Thames

Data and Insights Manager

601-414-6086
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Ecosystem Coordinators

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Jennifer Levingston

Ecosystem 1

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

601-414-6073
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Forrest Bryan

Ecosystem 2

Alcorn, Benton, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Prentiss, Pontotoc, Tippah, and Tishomingo counties

601-414-6075
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Kimberley Gatewood

Ecosystem 3

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

601-414-6079
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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

Ecosystem 7

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

601-414-6083
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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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