MEDC honors Hardwick for service
Marty Wiseman (l-r), former director of the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at Mississippi State; Matt Holleman, former president and CEO of Mississippi Valley Gas Company; Carol Hardwick; Phil Hardwick; Chad Newell, president of the Area Development Partnership and MEDC board president; former Jackson Mayor Kane Ditto; and David Rumbarger, president and CEO of the Community Development Foundation.
The Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) announced Feb. 4 that Phil Hardwick was awarded as the 2016 MEDC Honorary Life Member.
In August 2014, Hardwick retired from his full-time position as coordinator of capacity development initiatives at the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at Mississippi State University. In that role, where developed leadership training programs and assisted local governments in developing economic development strategies. He also assisted the Legislature, state officials and local governments with the development of public policy initiatives.
MEDC Honorary Life Membership may be granted to individuals upon retirement to recognize their long and distinguished service in furthering economic development and community development in the State of Mississippi and the aims of the council. Nominations and qualifications are presented to the MEDC Board of Directors.
"Phil is a great mediator and has always been able to bring opposing sides together to discuss their differences in a civilized and productive manner. He is an exceptional leader, who is respected across the state and beyond," George Freeland, executive director of Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, stated in his nomination letter.
Hardwick has been a member of MEDC since 1990, and for the past 25 years he has been an example of professionalism and dedication to the economic development practice. He spent almost twenty years as Vice President of Community and Economic Development at Mississippi Valley Gas Company where he conducted economic and community development for 35 counties in the Mississippi service territory. From 1992 to 1994, he served as Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Jackson. He managed four divisions, with 22 employees, including housing and Minority Business Enterprise.
“Phil’s tireless public service and commitment to the profession of economic and community development is without equal in the State. As evidenced by his resume, you could not have scripted a more fitting tribute to what he has accomplished in our field of endeavor,” added Jim Flanagan, President/CEO at Desoto County Economic Development Council.
