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Delta State alumnus PJ Waldrop named executive director of Mississippi Development Authority

Cleveland, MS (10/01/2026) —

Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State alumnus PJ Waldrop named executive director of Mississippi Development Authority

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University alumnus Paul Jerrod "PJ" Waldrop has been appointed executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority by Gov. Tate Reeves, placing a Delta State business graduate at the helm of the state's economic development agency.

Waldrop, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Delta State, will assume his new role Oct. 1. He most recently served as MDA's deputy executive director and chief operating officer and succeeds Bill Cork, who is retiring from state service.

"Mississippi has incredible momentum," said Waldrop. "I'd like to thank Governor Reeves for the opportunity to serve the great state of Mississippi in this new role. I'm looking forward to working with our team at the Mississippi Development Authority and leaders across the state to build upon our economic development successes."

As deputy executive director and chief operating officer, Waldrop helped lead Mississippi's economic and community development efforts and oversaw 12 divisions responsible for approximately $400 million in annual expenditures. Since joining MDA's executive leadership team, he has helped advance major economic development projects, led the agency's first significant organizational restructuring in a decade and strengthened operations across multiple divisions.

"Mississippi is attracting record-breaking capital investment and creating thousands of high-paying jobs all across our state," said Reeves. "PJ has been a key member of our economic development team, and he understands what it takes to bring major projects to Mississippi. I'm confident he will do a tremendous job leading the Mississippi Development Authority and building on this historic momentum."

Waldrop previously served as the first director of the Governor's Office of Military Affairs at MDA. In that role, he developed Mississippi's statewide military-community strategy, established a five-year strategic plan and helped create the Defense Communities Development Council.

Before returning to Mississippi, Waldrop spent more than a decade working in the U.S. Senate. He served as deputy chief of staff, state director and legislative director for U.S. Sen. David Perdue. Earlier in his career, he worked on the staffs of U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Thad Cochran and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

Delta State Director of Alumni Affairs Corley Mullins said, "We are thrilled to see PJ Waldrop named executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. It is always exciting to see a Delta State alumnus take on a leadership role that will make an impact across Mississippi, and we are proud to celebrate this accomplishment with him. On behalf of the Delta State Alumni Association, we congratulate PJ on this well-deserved appointment and wish him continued success as he leads MDA."

In addition to his Delta State degree, Waldrop holds a Master of Science in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi. His career has brought together economic development, public policy, government relations and executive leadership, experience he will now apply to guiding Mississippi's efforts to attract investment and expand opportunities across the state.

For more information about the Delta State University College of Business, visit deltastate.edu.

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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

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PJ Waldrop has been named the new Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority.

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