Board of Commissioners
The Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is managed by the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority. The five member Board of Commissioners is appointed by the Mayor City of Jackson and confirmed by the Jackson City Council.
Presently the Board consists of:
Mrs. Johnnie L. Patton R.PH, Chair
A native Jacksonian, Johnnie is Vice President of Hap Enterprise, a real estate consultant company in purchasing and selling properties. Johnnie is a graduate of Xavier University School of Pharmacy, New Orleans, Louisiana, and is a practicing pharmacist with Walmart/Sams Club organization. She serves as the National Committee Woman for Mississippi for MDP, and Secretary of the Black Caucus of DNC, Washington, DC,; Secretary, Board Member of Safe City Initiative, Jackson, MS. Commissioner Patton is a Member of the Jackson Chapter of LeFleur Bluff Links, Incorporated. Advisor to family fast food restaurant business, the Big Apple Inn, established in 1937.
Dr. Sylvia Stewart, Vice-Chair
Dr. Sylvia Stewart is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and is the Chief Financial Officer for Peoples Insurance Companies. Active and involved in many career-related associations, Dr. Stewart serves on the Board of Directors of First American Bank, Jackson/Hinds Minority Capital Fund and the City of Jackson Planning and Zoning Board. As Chairman of the Foundation for Downtown Development and Vice Chairman of the Farish Street Historic District Neighborhood Foundation, Dr. Stewart is extensively involved with the betterment of community life in Jackson. Through her efforts on both the Metropolitan and Farish Street YMCA Boards, Dr. Stewart has helped launch many successful programs for inner-city youth.
Dr. Glenda B.Glover, Commissioner
Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover is the Dean of the School of Business at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a certified public accountant, an attorney, and a higher education administrator. She holds a Ph.D. in economics and finance, and is one of two African American females to hold the economics Ph.D-CPA-JD combination in the nation. Her corporate and other national board memberships include: Board of Directors of Citibank Student Loan Corporation, The Chapman Company, Amervest Corporation, Harvard Business School Management Alliance, and the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). She is a board member of the MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce and NAACP. Other affiliations include the Minority Capital Loan Fund, AICPA, National Bar Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
George E. Irvin, Sr., Commissioner
George E. Irvin, Sr., is the Assistant State Director of U.S.D.A. Rural Development. He holds a MBA, from Jackson State University, a Master of Science from Mississippi State University, and a B.S. from Alcorn State University. Commissioner Irvin was State Director of Rural Development with the President Clinton Administration. Active and involved in many professional affiliations; Alcorn State University Alumni Association, National Alcorn State University Alumni Association, Jackson State University Alumni Association, Life Member, National Guard Officers Association of the United States, Mississippi National Guard Officers Association, Leadership Jackson Alumni Association, University of Texas Army War College Fellowship Alumni Association, and Mississippi Blues Commission. Commissioner Irvin is an Army pilot and a graduate of the U S Army War College. He is also a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served a year in Iraq. Commissioner Irvin and his wife Sarah have five adult children.
Earle F. Jones, Commissioner
A native Californian, Earle F. Jones is Co-Chairman of MMI Hotel Group and of MMI Dining Systems. Mr. Jones combines a busy career with a wide range of other business, charitable, and civic interests. As Co-Chairman of Jackson 2000, he served a three-year term. Currently, Jones sits on its Board of Directors. Since 1978, he has served as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Mississippi. Additionally, he is a Board Member of the Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Jones also serves as Co-Chair of the Council on Reform and Excellence for Middle Schools.
Chief Executive Officer
Dirk B. Vanderleest, Chief Executive Officer
Employed since 1990, Mr. Vanderleest is responsible for the overall management of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and its 105 employees. Prior to assuming the position of CEO, he was Airport Manager for the Huntsville-Madison county Airport in Huntsville, Alabama for five years. He is a graduate of Auburn University and a member of the American Association of Airport Executives.