Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/169596
MSAE Members Shift into New jobs; Others Make Move to Retirement Shari Veazey had to learn to let go. "The biggest adjustment for me has been letting go of the marketing and conference planning aspects of my former deputy director position that I enjoyed so much," she said. and involve these executives that can bring so much experience and wisdom to our organization." Broadening the membership is another key initiative. "I would also like to see more diversity within our membership," she said. "Perhaps a way to accomplish Veazey is the new executive director of the Mississippi this goal would be to push secondary memberships Municipal League. And she is one of more than a dozen from our associations." MSAE members who have faced major career changes in the past year. Retirement Beckons Lewis, who worked formerly for the Mississippi Development Authority and also served a term as mayor of Kosciusko, retired in December 2012 and But for Selah Havard, former director of sales for the relocated to Oxford. Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau, it meant There he now works part-time for Mississippi 811, moving over 700 miles to Concord, NC. a computerized information center that creates a "Everyone around here is so kind and welcoming," said statewide communications link between those who Havard, who recently became meeting and corporate dig (excavators) and those who own and operate sales manager for Visit Cabarrus. "What I miss most underground utilities. about Mississippi is the family-like atmosphere that is He also plans to spend a good bit of time this fall felt in almost any situation." cheering on the Ole Miss Rebels. Veazey's move was not so long distance. After working eight years for MML, she took over for retired Executive Anne Coggins, former sales manager at the Tunica County Convention and Visitors Bureau, retired in Director George Lewis in January. August and relocated with her husband to Murfreesboro, Her promotion coincided with Veazey's installation as TN, to be closer to family. She said in a recent Facebook president of MSAE. post the transition has been bittersweet. For a few, change meant retirement. For most it meant taking a new career path. "It was particularly hectic during the legislative session. I felt at times that I was not devoting enough time to MSAE," Veazey said. "But because Amy Wilson is such an excellent executive director for MSAE, she did a great job of helping me balance what really needed my attention and what decisions she could make for the organization." Veazey has made diversity in the MSAE membership and engaging less active members part of her mission for her term leading the organization. "I am very sad to leave Tunica and the great life we have had there, but this begins another phase," she wrote. "We will now be near our children and grandchildren. We didn't say goodbye to anyone – just that we will see you again." Bill Horne, executive director of the Duncan Gray Center and a current member of the MSAE Board of Directors, is himself planning retirement soon and a move with his wife to the Northeast U.S. "The CEO event put together by [Mississippi Bar "We are retiring as of the end of the year, moving to Executive Director] Larry Houchins was an excellent Boston to help with our first grandchild," said Horne. After start," Veazey said. "I want us to continue to try a couple of years in what Horne calls "nanny service," FALL 2013 | CONNECTIONS 23