Contact: Harriet Laird
The newly elected class for the Mississippi State University Foundation's 44-member board of directors, as well as officers appointed to a second term, are being announced.
Returning for 2011 are James J. "Jim" Rouse of Houston, Texas, president; Bobby Shackouls, also of Houston, vice president; and D. Hines Brannan of Atlanta, Ga., treasurer.
Rouse is a retired vice president of ExxonMobil and a 1962 Mississippi State management graduate. Shackouls is retired chairman, president and CEO of Burlington Resources Inc., and a 1972 chemical engineering graduate. Brannan, a retired partner with Accenture, is a 1970 industrial engineering degree graduate who completed a master's degree in business administration the following year.
Rounding out board leadership are John P. Rush, the university's vice president for development and alumni, who serves as board CEO, and David Easley, foundation executive director of finance also serving as chief financial officer for the board. Officer terms began Jan. 1.
Board members traditionally are appointed for three-year terms. Those beginning inaugural terms include [by city of residence]:
BREWTON, Ala.--Joe F. Gordy, a 1963 horticulture graduate who owns and directs Gordy Development and Natural Decorations Inc.
MERIDIAN--Tommy Dulaney, president and CEO of Structural Steel Services Inc., a friend of the land-grant institution.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas--Thomas B. Nusz, a 1982 petroleum engineering graduate now president and CEO of Oasis Petroleum Inc.
Members may return to the board after vacating their seat for a year. Returning for new three-year appointments are [by city]:
CANTON--C. R. "Bob" Montgomery, a 1961 marketing graduate who is a partner with Montgomery, McGraw, and Collins, PLLC.
COLUMBUS--Dr. Rusty Linton, a 1980 biochemistry graduate and orthopedic surgeon with Columbus Orthopedic Clinic, P.A. He also serves as a team physician for the MSU Athletic Department.
FULTON--Johnny Crane, retired CEO of F.L. Crane & Sons, Inc., a longtime university friend.
GULFPORT--Don E. Mason, a 1964 business administration and industrial engineering graduate who earned an MBA the following year. Now a consultant, he is a retired vice president of Mississippi Power Co.
HIGHLANDS, N.C.--James K. Ashford, a 1958 accounting graduate and the retired president and CEO of Case International. He steered MSU's first capital campaign.
KATY, Texas--William B. Berry, who earned a petroleum engineering degree in 1974 and a master's two years later. He is a retired executive vice president for ConocoPhillips.
MERIDIAN--E.M. "Hoot" Gipson, CEO of Gipson Steel Inc., another longtime MSU friend.
Established in 1962, the MSU Foundation administers the majority of the institution's fundraising activities and endowment funds. The current endowment stands at approximately $300 million.
For more information on MSU fundraising activities and a complete list of the board of directors, visit www.msufoundation.com or contact Rush at rush@devalumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-9306.