Governor Bryant Appoints Four To IHL Board

JACKSON, Miss.—Gov. Phil Bryant today announced four appointees to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The appointees are Thomas Duff of Hattiesburg, Glenn McCullough Jr. of Tupelo, Dr. Alfred McNair Jr. of Gautier and Eddie “Chip” Morgan Jr. of Leland.

Appointees must be confirmed by the Mississippi Senate. Each appointee will serve a nine-year term beginning May 9, 2015.

“Mississippi’s public universities serve a vital function in our state. They educate students, pioneer research, serve as catalysts for economic development and are anchors in their communities,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “These appointees bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the table, and I know they will help ensure the success of our higher education system.”

Chip Morgan will represent the 1st Supreme Court District and will succeed Bob Owens. Thomas Duff and Dr. Alfred McNair will represent the 2nd Supreme Court District. Duff will succeed Robin Robinson, and McNair will succeed Ed Blakeslee. Glenn McCullough Jr. will represent the 3rd Supreme Court District and will succeed Aubrey Patterson.

About the Appointees

Thomas Duff

Businessman Thomas Duff is a native of Columbia, Miss. He and his brother Jim Duff co-own and operate Duff Capital Investors, which is comprised of eight businesses employing 8,400 people. Seven of the eight companies are headquartered in Mississippi and employ 4,300 people. The Duff companies include Southern Tire Mart, KLLM Transport Services, Frozen Food Express, T.K. Stanley Oilfield Services, Forest Products Transports, T.L. Wallace Construction, Pine Belt Ford and Pine Belt Chevrolet. Duff holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“I’m very honored to receive this appointment by Governor Bryant to serve on the IHL Board of Trustees, and I look forward to working closely with each of our public universities to reach our shared goal of advancing our state together,” Duff said. “Mississippi’s public universities are incredibly important to the current and future success of our state, as they are providing the research and instruction necessary to bring about the jobs of tomorrow.”

Dr. Alfred McNair

Dr. Alfred McNair is a gastroenterologist and owner of Digestive Health Center, PA in Ocean Springs, Miss. He is the president and founder of Mississippi Coast Physicians, LLC, of Mississippi Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities and of Savannah Pines, LLC. Dr. McNair is chief of medical staff at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. He served as a member of the Mississippi State Board of Health from 2002-2005 and as vice chairman of the Board of Health from 2006-2009. He graduated summa cum laude from Tougaloo College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Dr. McNair attended medical school at Columbia University, completed his medical residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York and completed gastroenterology fellowships at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Stanford University.

“A healthy Mississippi is an educated Mississippi,” Dr. McNair said. “Our manifest destiny as a state is intertwined with our ability to offer affordable, accessible and academically challenging higher educational opportunities to our citizens.”

Glenn McCullough Jr.

Glenn McCullough Jr. is former chairman of Tennessee Valley Authority. He was named to TVA board in 1999 by President Bill Clinton and was named chairman of the board by President George W. Bush. Under his leadership, TVA achieved record performance in power generation, environmental improvement and community and economic development. McCullough was elected mayor of Tupelo in 1997 and served until his appointment to TVA. He also served as director of the Appalachian Regional Commission from 1993-1997 by appointment from Gov. Kirk Fordice. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Mississippi State University.

“I am thankful to Governor Bryant for this opportunity and look forward to serving with my fellow board members to advance Mississippi through our public universities,” McCullough said.

Chip Morgan

Chip Morgan has served as executive vice president of Delta Council since 1982. In this role he has developed strategies and input from Delta Council on national farm policy, state four-lane highway legislation, flood control and the Delta Health Alliance. During Morgan’s tenure, Delta Council has expanded its role to include improvement of access to health care, funding for higher education, promotion of adult literacy, confrontation of critical teacher shortages in the Delta and development of a higher education curriculum to train high school administrators in the Delta. Morgan holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Mississippi.

“I share the priority which Governor Bryant places on higher education in Mississippi, and like him, I feel quite fortunate that my parents afforded me the opportunity to go to a college in Mississippi,” Morgan said. “Further, I know it will be a rewarding and learning experience to join with the caliber of people who currently serve on this board, as well as the capable staff that supports the board.”