FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Gulfport, Miss. – Mark Loughman will be sworn in as a member of the Mississippi State Port Authority’s (MSPA) Board of Commissioners during its March 24, 2022, board meeting. Appointed by the Gulfport City Council, Loughman will replace E.J. Roberts and will serve a five-year term ending in April 2026.
“We welcome Mr. Loughman to the MSPA Commission and applaud his commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Jon Nass, Port CEO and Executive Director. “His background in economic development and compliance will be helpful in our discussions concerning future infrastructure plans and tenant negotiations.”
The Mississippi State Port Authority is governed by a five-member board of commissioners that represents a cross-section of Gulfport and Harrison County. Appointed to staggered, five-year terms, three commissioners are selected by Mississippi’s Governor, one by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors and one by the City of Gulfport. The Commission sets policy and oversees major expenditures for the Port of Gulfport.
“I appreciate Mayor Hewes and the Gulfport City Council providing me this opportunity to serve as a commissioner on the Mississippi State Port Authority,” said Loughman. “The Port is a tremendous economic driver for the City of Gulfport, southeast Mississippi, and our entire state. I’m excited to work with Jon Nass, his team, and my fellow commissioners to capitalize on the possibilities for future development at the Port.”
A native of Hattiesburg, Loughman is the Director of Environmental Affairs and Shared Services for Mississippi Power. He is responsible for environmental compliance and stewardship, building services, design and construction management, and conference and mail services.
He began his career with the company in 1998 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in Economic Development, Marketing, Division Operations, System Planning, and Environmental Affairs. During his tenure, Mississippi Power became the state’s largest partner in renewable energy with 160 MW of available solar generation.
Prior to joining Mississippi Power, Loughman worked in environmental compliance at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. He has also worked in environmental consulting and for a state regulatory agency. He began his career as a financial consultant.
Loughman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Millsaps College and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Yale University. He is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi, Leadership Gulf Coast, the Gulf Coast Business Council’s Masters Leadership Program, and Leadership Jackson County. He and his wife Leslie have three children – Meg, Patrick, and Caroline.
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