9/5/2025
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Kressley Burgess has faced more than his share of challenges, but instead of letting them define him, he leaned on faith and determination to keep moving forward.
Despite lifelong medical struggles, he never lost sight of his goal to graduate from high school, and in 2024, he proudly walked across the stage at Columbus High School—a milestone he calls “one of my biggest accomplishments in life.”
After graduation, another medical setback tested his strength.
“Both were rough,” he said. “Emotionally, I felt like I had a late start in life, but mentally I knew it would be over eventually. That’s when prayer played a big part, and having a good support system.”
In May, determined not to fall further behind, Burgess reached out to Jim Sutherland, his career coach, who had once supported him in high school.
“I knew I needed to find a career path soon, before any other delays would happen,” he recalled.
That call led him to Gregory Construction, where Jay Burleson, director of people, responded the same day with an invitation. From his first day, Burgess felt at home.
“Everyone treated me like family,” he said. “I started out as an intern, shadowing different departments. When I made my way to the shop area, I noticed an 18-wheeler parked inside. I said, ‘that’s what I want to do.’”
With the support of Sutherland and Burleson, Burgess is now a full-time employee with Gregory Construction and in CDL training, set to complete his program this month. The company is covering the cost of his license, an investment that means more to Burgess than words can fully capture.
“It truly shows that they stand on their word and they really do care for their employees,” he said. “By them investing in me, they know that I will try my best each and every day and invest in them as they have in me.”
Looking back on his journey, Burgess offers advice to anyone struggling with setbacks or feeling ready to quit – don’t do it.
“I know in the moment we can base things off of emotion and think to ourselves, ‘that’s it, I give up,’ and later on you will have that regret,” he said. “Remember, all of the negative things you go through are temporary. My faith is the number one thing that kept me going, and I would encourage anyone else to do the same.”
With the right connections and the right support, challenges can turn into opportunities, and dreams can be built into lasting careers.
About AccelerateMS
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.
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