Mr. Jerry L. Griffith of Gulfport was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Governor Tate Reeves in May 2024 to represent the Second (Southern) Supreme Court District for a term to expire May 7, 2033.
Mr. Griffith is a graduate of Jim Hill High School and received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Delta State University. He continued graduate level coursework in Business and Real Estate and is a certified taxation instructor. His profession led him to a 40+ year career with the U. S. Treasury – Internal Revenue Service.
In the Examination Division, his career evolved from IRS Revenue Agent to Manager, Territory Manager, Resident Lead Instructor for IRS Regional Training and Lead for IRS Recruiting and Hiring. He managed numerous IRS National Programs, among them Specialty Programs Manager for Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act.
Mr. Griffith has worked through numerous mergers, acquisitions, and has a proven track record of combining "big picture" strategic thinking with day-to-day policies and procedures. He is an experienced investigator with superior questioning, negotiation and analytical skills coupled with trust and open communication.
Shortly after retirement from Internal Revenue Service, he was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, as a Gaming Commissioner. The Gaming Commission was established to ensure integrity and maintain the public confidence in the gaming industry in the State of Mississippi. He served as Gaming Commissioner for six years, responsible for gaming regulations throughout the state of Mississippi.
Trustee Griffith is a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Navy, and his father was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Delta Omicron Boule'). He is a member of Rotary Club – Gulfport (Paul Harris Fellow). He is also a board member and officer of the MS Gulf Coast Symphony. Mr. Griffith is chairperson of the Trustee Board at his church and continues to be active in all aspects of the Mississippi Gulf Coast community.
Mr. Griffith is the proud father of two children, Jerry Jr. and Julie, with his late wife Veta.
