Mississippi Power CEO participates in panel discussion with Ivanka Trump
Mississippi Power President and CEO Anthony Wilson joined Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump, on a panel at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport Thursday afternoon to highlight the importance of early childhood education and workforce readiness.
“This discussion helped shine a light on the progress Mississippi has made, and the opportunities ahead, to further strengthen our education and workforce initiatives,” said Wilson. “I am grateful for the political and business leaders in our state who have continued to build the necessary public-private partnerships that have led to measurable successes.”
The roundtable discussion capped a nationwide tour spearheaded by Ivanka Trump and Patricia Greene, director of the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau.
Trump toured the Lynn Meadows facility and visited with some of the children before listening from state and community leaders on progress being made in the state.
“Seeing what I saw outside with the children playing and learning fills me with joy,” Trump said. “I think the opportunity to bring this level of quality across the country is something we’re committed to addressing.”
Mississippi Power continues to be a state leader in workforce readiness and education initiatives.
Wilson is the incoming second chair of the Mississippi Economic Council, which has focused a lot of attention and resources on education.
“We have made some great progress,” said Wilson, noting the increases in the percentage of children ready to move into kindergarten over the past few years. “We’re seeing increased scores in reading and math in fourth- and eighth-grade testing related to this effort.
“I believe you can project that into improved graduation rates and that parlays into a more qualified and bigger workforce, and that’s what every business is looking for.”
Others participating on the panel included Joey Songy and Laurie Smith from Gov. Bryant’s office; Mimmo Parisi, Mississippi State University; Carolyn Willis, Delta Health Alliance; Eloise McClinton, Southaven Head Start; Andrea Mayfield, Mississippi Community College Board; Haley Fisackerly, Entergy CEO; John Davis, Mississippi Department of Human Resources; and Margaret Chapman, Agape Childcare Center.
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann also attended the event.
Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 187,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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