Jackson resident tabbed to lead alumni in '97

J. Durr Boyles, a 1982 Mississippi State engineering graduate, is the new national president of the Alumni Association.

Boyles, principal with Boyles, Moak & Brickell in Jackson, was elected by his peers at the association's annual Homecoming meeting held on campus last November.

The national officers of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association for 1997 are, from left, J. Durr Boyles, national president; Bill Long, national first vice president; Lamar Conerly, national second vice president; and Keith Winfield, national treasurer.

He replaced outgoing national president Barbara B. Rhoades of Starkville, administrative officer for Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine and the first woman to lead the organization.

A native of Jackson, Boyles has served on the Alumni Association board for 10 years, most recently as first national vice president.

The association also elected three other national officers at the meeting.

Bill Long of Webb was elected national first vice president. He is a territory manager for Griffin Corporation, and received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Mississippi State in 1981.

Lamar A. Conerly Jr., an attorney from Destin, Fla., was elected national second vice president. He received his bachelor's degree in accounting in 1971.

S. Keith Winfield of Starkville, who received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Mississippi State in 1970, will again serve as national treasurer in 1997. He is a partner in the accounting firm of Watkins, Ward, and Stafford.

Those elected to regional positions include:

   Eddie Longstreet of West Point, sales representative for Cellular South, North 3 Region director. He received his bachelor's degree in banking and finance in 1988.

   Carey P. "Pat" Vanderford of Kosciusko, executive vice president for Merchants and Farmers Bank, Central 2 Region director. He received his bachelor's degree in general business in 1962.

   Andy Perry of Laurel, eastern marketing manager for the commercial and industrial division of Howard Industries, South 1 Region director. He received his bachelor's degree in business management in 1979.

   Jennifer Wicker of Hattiesburg, marketing director for The Curiosity Shoppe and Ye Olde Book Shoppe, Southern Region young director. She received her bachelor's degree in communication in 1988.

   Tommy Martin of Nashville, landscape architect, out-of-state director. He received his bachelor's degree in landscape architecture in 1984.

All new officers began their terms in January 1997.