So it hit me. What current TV show most resembles the GSDP saga? Battlestar Galactica.
Think about it. You have a group of human-appearing robots who follow their own agenda in an attempt to mold human society (the Cyclons/ Executive Committee) who have “boxed” their leader (David Thornell) while then try to find the Final Five (CEO candidate pool) who lead them to the Final One (the new CEO). Perfect, if not extremely geeky. This leads to all kind of parallels. Who would be Baltar? Tori? Bill Adama? Maybe that is the next poll question. (Shout out to the SDN-ers who read SN and enjoy BSG.)
Now is not the best time for the GSDP. With the resignation of COO Chance McDavid, it appears that the organization is in a holding pattern until the new CEO is named.
Interviews start Sunday/Monday for the new CEO with the aforementioned Final Five. The list was paired down from 7 to 5 early this week.
Several parties on behalf of one of those two candidates who got cut (we’ll call her/him Number 6) have phoned and email their concern with the process. Six’s resume is pretty impressive with major involvement at Miss. Development Authority on several levels, including helping to bring Nissan to the state. Six is also a Starkville native and MSU grad. I really question why this person didn’t make the final selection for interviews.
Here are two ways to look at it: either the other 5 candidates are much more qualified than 6 (or Number 7; my hope) or the GSDP powers want to keep the new CEO on a tight lease and want someone to fit into that role.
Here’s what I want: a proven leader who understands the dynamic between MSU, Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Someone who is young enough to be energetic and excited but old enough that this isn’t their first rodeo. Someone who has the vision and gravitas to take the organization beyond the restraints of it’s present boundaries, defy the status quo (if necessary) and LEAD the entire community.
Concern is starting to mount in some sections about the process (see post from yesterday referring to the SDN).
If you are in that group, let the GSDP Executive Committee know TODAY that the status quo isn’t good enough. They start interviews over the next few days.
Contact them if you are worried about the search (email would probably be best). Let them know that the public is watching.
Most names of the Executive Committee with contact info appear here.
Here it is in a list for ease of use (not all info is verified; there may be some dead links):
Terry Kemp – Board Chairman
COMPANY: Tennessee Valley Authority
LOCATION: 310 Research Blvd.
Starkville, MS, 39759
PHONE: 338-3160 (Phone)
FAX: 338-3192 (Fax)
EMAIL: tnkemp@tva.gov
Steve Langston – VP of Community Development
COMPANY: Sullivan’s Office Supply
LOCATION: 204 Main Street
PO Box 1007
Starkville, MS, 39760
PHONE: 323-5222 (Phone)
FAX: 323-8181 (Fax)
EMAIL: slangston@sullivansoffice.com
Albert Clark – VP of Economic Development
COMPANY: C. C. Clark, Inc.
LOCATION: 501 Academy Road
PO Box 966
Starkville, MS, 39760
PHONE: 323-4317 (Phone)
FAX: 323-6461 (Fax)
EMAIL: haroldclark@ccclark.com
Jack Wallace – OCEDA President
COMPANY: Boardtown Builders, Inc.
LOCATION: 1087 Robin Drive
Starkville, MS, 39759
PHONE: 323-3439 (Phone)
FAX: 323-3439 (Fax)
EMAIL: jandmjwal@aol.com
Michelle Amos – Chamber Chair
COMPANY: Coldwell Banker, S.R.E. Realtors
LOCATION: 411 East Lampkin Street
Starkville, MS, 39759
PHONE: 323-8700 (Phone)
FAX: 323-3051 (Fax)
EMAIL: cbsre@starkvillerealestate.com
Sumner Davis – CVB Chair
Contact info from msstate.edu
Dr. Melvin Ray – Secretary / Treasurer
Contact info from msstate.edu
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