On Wednesday morning, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant announced the nomination of Brigadier General Joe Spraggins as the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). Spraggins will replace Jamie Miller, who recently resigned to accept a similar position with the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA).
After serving under Miller as the Chief Operations Officer for the past 4 years and 8 years before being the director of emergency management in Harrison County, Spraggins joins the position with an abundant amount of experience.
Miller came aboard DMR in the midst of scandal in 2013 when the agency was tied into debt.
One of Miller’s prime accomplishments was working with the state legislature to pass a required annual audit of the state agency.
“High praise should go to Jamie for restoring the agency and trying to make things happen,” said Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United Director Ryan Bradley.
Spraggins retired from the United States Air Force in 2006 after 34 years of service.
Since then, he has worked on the Coast providing years of leadership experience.
“Consistency and working with Jamie hand-in-hand is why General Spraggins is the choice,” said DMR’s Public Affairs Director Melissa Scallan.
Miller will stay on board until after the next Commission of Marine Resources (CMR) monthly meeting on December 19.
