Bill Text: MS SC636 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize public policy legacy of Mississippi Economic Council CEO Blake Wilson on the occasion of his retirement.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-5)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-27 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC636 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC636-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Barnett, Blackwell, Blount, Browning, Dearing, DeBar, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jolly, McMahan, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Stone, Wilemon, Jackson (32nd)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 636
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE VITAL PUBLIC POLICY LEGACY OF MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL CEO BLAKE WILSON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Blake Wilson, a Delaware native, has many times told crowds of business leaders "I wasn't born in Mississippi, but I got here just as quick as I could." Wilson, 63, has announced his plan to retire in June 2017 after 19 years as CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council, the state's Chamber of Commerce. Vice President and COO Scott Waller has been named Interim President and CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council; and
WHEREAS, Blake Wilson has served as what he has called the "Head Cheerleader" for Mississippi businesses through three Governors, no small feat in such a position, and a sea change as Mississippi industry has shifted from old-time manufacturing to more advanced and high-tech. Blake helped usher in Mississippi's automotive manufacturing industry with the Nissan and Toyota plants. "When an auto plant opens in a big Northern industrial state, it is pretty big news," Wilson said. "But here in Mississippi it changed the very fabric of this state. It made me so excited when I first came here to see how the state saw this opportunity and went after it"; and
WHEREAS, Wilson quickly gives others the credit for the auto industry economic development. Mississippi's business leaders pulled together with political leaders and the state passed the "Advantage Mississippi Initiative" to bring incentives up to speed. That put Mississippi on the radar screen as a viable location, and the Mississippi Development Authority pursued the opportunity. Wilson said he simply took MEC, founded in 1949, "back to the future" like its early days, reinstating grassroots tours, meetings and events. Wilson has often been a liaison between the business community and political leaders, and between business and politics, sometimes a difficult spot. MEC has taken political stances and mounted campaigns for issues, including public education improvements, and most recently, increasing taxes to fund road and bridge maintenance and repair. Wilson noted that MEC has stuck to its charter with politics and, unlike some other states' chambers, does not endorse politicians or operate a Political Action Committee. MEC's policy positions are voted on by membership, drafted by its Board of Governors, voted on again and done in an open process; and
WHEREAS, Robin J. Robinson, 2016-2017 Chair of MEC and Director of Organization Development Relations at Sanderson Farms, said "We are grateful for Blake Wilson's contributions over these nearly two decades, and for his commitment to both building a strong team and providing them the professional staff development needed to be well-positioned to serve both our membership and the state in the years to come." "Blake Wilson came to Mississippi from Florida and Delaware but truly embraced and celebrated the spirit that makes Mississippi great," said William G. Yates, III, 2017-2018 MEC Chair and President and CEO of Yates Companies. "We appreciate his innovative and use of technology to grow our reach, but also his commitment to MEC's legacy. It is with this legacy in mind that, working with the new MEC team, our board and leaders will focus in the coming months on our strategic direction in the future"; and
WHEREAS, MEC plays a vital role in the public policy fabric of Mississippi. The organization's accomplishments are directly attributable to the tremendous involvement and hard work of volunteers since its founding in 1949, and the innovative and unselfish contributions of Blake's predecessors, Bob Pittman, who directed this organization for 33 years, and M.B. Swayze, who was the Founding Director; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the business community of the State of Mississippi in commending this record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to all by a most public-spirited citizen who has brought honor to his adopted state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the vital public policy legacy of Mississippi Economic Council CEO Blake Wilson on the occasion of his retirement, and extend to Blake and his family our best wishes for future success and involvement in the public policy decisions of our state during his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Blake Wilson and his family, forwarded to the Governor, new CEO Scott Waller and the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Economic Council, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
