----- Forwarded by Robbie Wilbur/Admin/DEQ on 03/26/2013 10:20 AM -----
From: Mick Bullock <Mick.Bullock@governor.ms.gov>
To: undisclosed-recipients:;,
Date: 03/26/2013 10:15 AM
Subject: Governor Phil Bryant Names Jamie Miller Executive Director of
Department of Marine Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2013
CONTACT:
Mick Bullock: Mick.Bullock@governor.ms.gov (601-576-2811)
Nicole Roberts: Nicole.Roberts@governor.ms.gov (601-576-2802)
RESOURCES:
Condensed Bio:
http://www.governorbryant.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jamie-Miller-Bio.pdf
Photo:
http://www.governorbryant.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jamie-Miller.jpg
Governor Phil Bryant Names Jamie Miller Executive Director of Department of
Marine Resources
BILOXI—Gov. Phil Bryant has selected Mississippi Gulf Coast native Jamie
Miller to lead the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources as executive
director. Bryant made the announcement during a press conference at DMR
headquarters.
"I have taken this appointment very seriously and believe DMR's success is
vital to the Gulf Coast and to the management of Mississippi's coastal
resources," Gov. Phil Bryant said. "It is important for the next executive
director to have proven management experience, extensive disaster response
and recovery experience and solid grant management experience. The new
director must also have knowledge of issues that impact our coastal
ecosystem and must be willing to take a top to bottom view of the agency.
Jamie Miller meets these qualifications and more, so today I will submit
his name to the Senate for confirmation as executive director of the
Department of Marine Resources."
Miller attended Gulfport High School and later graduated from the
University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Environmental Biology.
His professional career began at the Department of Marine Resources in
1997, when then executive director Glade Woods hired him as a coastal
ecologist. He has worked closely with Mississippi's state and federal
legislators for the past seven years and just returned from serving in
Washington, D. C., where he worked on many issues impacting Mississippi's
marine and coastal resources.
"It is hard to quantify the importance of this agency to other state
agencies in Mississippi, but there is no doubt the Department of Marine
Resources touches the lives of so many who live and work in South
Mississippi," Miller said. "It is my honor to be selected as the agency's
next executive director, and I look forward to working with Governor Bryant
and the Commission on Marine Resources to provide ample strategic support
and a clear vision to lead the department in the future."
Miller has supervised personnel and managed government budgets for more
than 10 years at the municipal, state and federal levels. He has also
worked in the private sector as a federal programs administrator and grants
monitor. Following Hurricane Katrina, Miller worked closely with state
policy makers to develop, implement and manage federal and state programs
with budgets in excess $500 million.
"Jamie Miller's experience working on coastal issues made him an invaluable
asset throughout his tenure with my office, but especially during passage
of the RESTORE Act," Congressman Steven Palazzo stated. "I am confident he
will put that same seasoned experience to work at DMR to protect and
promote Mississippi's coastal interests. Governor Bryant and the
Commission on Marine Resources picked the right person for the job."
State law requires the Commission on Marine Resources to submit three
nominees for the executive director position to the governor for
consideration. The final appointee must be knowledgeable and experienced in
marine resources management, and the Mississippi Senate must confirm the
governor's appointment.
"The Commission on Marine Resources took its role in the appointment
process very seriously," Dr. Vernon Asper, chairman of the CMR, said. "We
took time to closely evaluate candidates and provide Gov. Bryant with the
best recommendations for his consideration, and we look forward to working
with Jamie."
Miller's appointment will be brought before the Senate this legislative
session.
###
About DMR:
DMR was created by the legislature as a new state agency in 1994 and is
tasked with managing Mississippi's coastal resources through the authority
of the Commission on Marine Resources. DMR manages all marine life, public
trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas for the long-term
recreational, educational, commercial and economic benefit of everyone.
DMR and the Commission on Marine Resources play an important role in
administering Mississippi Seafood Laws, the Mississippi Coastal Wetlands
Protection Act, the Public Trust Tidelands Act, the Boat and Water Safety
Act, the Derelict Vessel Act, the Non-Point Source Pollution Act, the
Magnuson Act, the Wallop-Breaux Sportfish Restoration Act, Marine Litter
Act and other state and federal mandates.
