Meet the Business Advisory Council

Mit Cole

Mit Cole currently serves as Executive Vice President and Division Manager of The First Private Banking in Hattiesburg, MS. In this role since 2018, Mit has led the expansion of the Private Banking Division from a lending focused division in Mississippi to a region wide division that includes Personal Lending, Healthcare Lending, Wealth Management, and Insurance Services spanning the current five-state bank footprint. Mit has been a member of the BAC since 2024. 

Education:
Louisiana State University
BSBA in Finance, 2007

Cindy Gaddis '85

Cindy Gaddis recently retired following a 34 year career as a finance professional with Shell Oil Company/Royal Dutch Shell in Houston, Texas. Her experiences as an individual contributor and leader included executive level leadership in the Upstream & Downstream sectors and the services organizations. In 2009, Cindy moved to London, England, assuming the role of CFO for the Global Chemicals Business and then Global Downstream Sector Controller for RDS, which included travel to over 34 foreign countries. In addition to the BAC, Cindy does volunteer work with Girl Scouts and the USM Foundation. Cindy has been a member of the BAC since 2019.

Education: 
The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA with Honors, 1985

Rebecca Geiger '06 & '07

Rebecca Geiger is the Chief Financial Officer at Parish Tractor based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Parish Tractor is one of the nation's largest Kubota dealers, spanning multiple states and employing hundreds of people. Prior to joining Parish Tractor during 2019, she served a wide range of clients in the Public and Middle Market sector as a Senior Manager at HORNE for nearly 12 years. 

"Southern Miss helped lay a strong foundation for my career. By being involved in the Business Advisory Council, I hope to help our future leaders discover and embrace who they were meant to be."

Education: 
The University of Southern Mississippi
Master of Professional Accountancy, 2007
BSBA in Accounting, 2006

John Griffith

John Griffith currently serves as the Division President for Cadence Bank where he leads the operations of the bank in the Pine Belt Division. His previous experience includes leading commercial, corporate, and syndicated lending teams throughout Mississippi and the Southeast. John has been a member of the BAC since 2001.

"As a business leader in Hattiesburg, it is imperative that I support one of the largest economic engines in the city. I cannot think of a better way to do so than through the Business Advisory Council, where we are providing additional support to faculty and students." 

Education:
Louisiana State University
The Graduate School of Banking, 2003

University of Oklahoma
ABA National Commercial Lending School, 1996

Mississippi State University
BS in General Business, 1992

Lowell Howell

Lowell Howell began his career as a Bank Examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). After several years in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the FDIC, he moved back home to Laurel, Mississippi, where he was instrumental in forming Bank of Jones County, a truly local bank. In 2015, Bank of Jones County merged with First State Bank of which it is known today. He is presently Sr. V.P. in lending. Lowell has been a member of the BAC since 2017.

"I joined the BAC to participate with others in making opportunities and real-world experiences available to business students at Southern Miss."

Education:
Mississippi State University
BBA Banking and Finance, 1989
 

Cedrick Hurd '00

Cedrick Hurd currently serves as the Division Manager for Mississippi Power in Hattiesburg, MS. He has worked in Accounting, Supply Chain, IT, Division Operations, and Marketing. He has also served in various leadership roles, inclusive but not limited to, IT Contracts and Vendor Manager, Area Manager, and Major Accounts Manager in his 20-year career with Southern Company. He has been a member of the BAC since 2022.
 

Education:
Mississippi State University
MS in Information Technology, 2003

The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA in Accounting, 2000
BS in MIS, 2000

Brad Jones '03 & '04

Brad Jones is the General Manager at Cintas Corporation in Jackson, Mississippi, where he has been a dedicated leader for over 21 years. With 13 years of experience in this role, he has consistently driven initiatives focused on operational excellence, financial stability and growth, as well as customer satisfaction. Brad is passionate about mentoring and has helped launch several successful careers for Southern Miss graduates. He has been a member of the BAC since 2010. 

Education:
The University of Southern Mississippi
MBA, 2004
BSBA in Management, 2003
 

Jonathan Jones

Jonathan Jones is the CEO and Founder of Jones Capital. His guidance, philosophies, and values drive the firm’s culture and strategy. He joined Jones Capital in 2003 after earning a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi. He worked his way from Assistant Controller to CEO, as he helped establish a broader vision for the firm’s future. Under Jonathan’s leadership, Jones Capital has grown to become more acquisitive and now includes a wide range of middle-market operating companies and direct real estate investments. Jonathan became a member of the BAC in 2023. 

Education: 
The University of Mississippi
Bachelor's in Accounting, 2003

Linda Keng

Linda Keng is a partner with the law firm of Jones Walker, LLP, practicing in the Jackson, Mississippi office. Her practice is focused on ERISA, employee benefits and executive compensation, representing both for-profit and tax-exempt entities. She also represents individuals in estate planning, trust, business succession, and related matters.

She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Mississippi Estate Planning Council.

Education:
University of Florida Levine
College of Law - LLM in Taxation

Mississippi College
School of Law - JD

The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA in Accounting

Scott Kersh '91 & '92

Scott Kersh currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for MDB Health Services, a health care provider located in Flowood, MS. For over 20 years, Scott has used his accounting and leadership experience to help healthcare organizations provide care for elders and those in need. 

Scott is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Mississippi and is also a Certified Healthcare Finance Professional (CHFP). He is member of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Scott became a member of the BAC in 2015.

Education:
The University of Southern Mississippi
Master of Professional Accountancy, 1992
BSBA in Accounting, 1991

Kade Moody '91

Kade is a partner with HORNE LLP, a professional services firm ranked as one of the top CPA firms in the United States, and is also the Managing Partner of HORNE's Healthcare focus area. HORNE is based in Ridgeland, Mississippi with offices and team members across the United States, including the territory of Puerto Rico. Kade joined HORNE in 2002 after spending over a decade with Ernst & Young. At HORNE, Kade has served as a member of HORNE's Board of Directors, as the Firm's Firm-Wide Director of Assurance and on numerous committees focused on leadership development and client service.

Kade's professional certifications include being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) and a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA). Kade became a member of the BAC in 2010.

Education: 
The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA in Accounting, 1991
 

Chad Newell

Chad Newell serves as President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS, a position he has held since 2009. The ADP is the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Chad has worked in the private, public, and private non-profit sectors for three decades in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. He has led teams in facilitating projects that resulted in the investment of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs created across the Southeastern United States.

Education: 
The University of Southern Mississippi
MS in Economic Development

Mississippi State University
BBA in Economics 

Latreaka Rankin

Latreaka currently serves as a Commercial Relationship Manager with Regions Bank in Hattiesburg, MS. Prior to working with Regions Bank Latreaka worked with Hancock Whitney for 11 years in various roles. Latreaka also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at William Carey University. Latreaka became a member of the BAC in 2023.

Education: 
Louisiana State University of Shreveport
MBA, 2019

William Carey University
BSB, 2013

Dan Reid

Dan Reid serves as Owner, Founder & CEO at Grove Transit. He holds similar titles at Go Ride LLC since it was acquired in 2023. Dan is President of The Transportation Alliance, and is a Board Member at NEMTAC where he also chairs the Accreditation and Certifications & Standards Advisory Committees. Prior to forming Grove Transit, Dan was a National Practice Lead Partner for Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) at Grant Thornton and TAS Regional Practice Leader at Arthur Andersen. He started his career in oil and gas tax before moving into TAS for private equity firms. Dan became a member of the BAC in 2014.

Education: 
St. Mary's College
MBA, 1994

Golden Gate University
Master's in Taxation, 1990

Santa Clara University
BS in Accounting, 1980
 

Thomas Schmidt '84

Thomas Schmidt, CPA, CFP®, has extensive experience in financial and investment services, as well as a long career as a business coach and consultant. He specializes in helping businesses improve profitability, build sustainable, transferable value, and navigate transition processes, including sales and family successions. Throughout his career, he has owned, bought, and sold businesses, while also advising clients on both the buy and sell sides of transactions. In every role, his goal remains the same—to leave businesses, owners, and families in a stronger position than he found them. Thomas became a member of the BAC in 2011.

Education: 
University of St. Thomas | Houston, TX
Certified Financial Planner, 1999

The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA in Accounting, 1984

Jason Sistrunk '06 & '07

Jason Sistrunk currently serves as General Manager of Cintas Corporation in the New Orleans, LA market, which is a $48M operation serving 4,500 customers. Jason began his Cintas career in 2007 as a Management Trainee and has served in prior roles as General Manager - Lake Charles, Regional Service Director, Market Sales Manager, Sales Representative, and Service Manager.
Jason became a member of the BAC in 2023. 

Education: 
The University of Southern Mississippi
MBA, 2007
BSBA in Marketing, 2006

Jason Skrmetti '02 & '04

Jason started his career as a management trainee with Cintas after graduating with his MBA. At Cintas, Jason spent 10 years serving in various roles including sales representative, sales manager, and regional general manager. After a merger with Shred It and Cintas Document Shredding, Jason served as a Director of Operations. Stericycle purchased that combined entity and asked Jason to return to sales as the Vice President. Currently, Jason leads the US Operations as a SVP at Vital Records Control. Jason was named to the Top 50 under 40 in 2019 by the Mississippi Business Journal. He became a member of the BAC in 2006. 

"Being a part of the BAC gives me the opportunity to give back to the university that molded me into the leader I have become. The BAC gives me the opportunity to engage with students to provide advice and strategy for career decisions."

Education: 
The University of Southern Mississippi
MBA, 2004
BS in Construction Engineering, 2002

Adrienne Slack

Adrienne Slack serves as the Sixth District’s lead regional executive for the Bank’s Regional Economic Information Network (REIN), overseeing economic network priorities, monetary policy inputs, and team development. She manages the New Orleans Branch’s Board of Directors and the District’s Energy Advisory Council while advising on regional economic development.

She began her career in economic research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and has held leadership roles across the Federal Reserve System, including oversight of the Sixth District Cash Function Office. She is actively involved in several advisory councils and was recognized as a New Orleans City Business Woman of the Year.

Education: 
Dartmouth College
Executive Development Program

The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA in Economics

Kevin Smathers '05

Kevin Smathers currently serves as the Senor Manager of Wireless Support for C Spire in Ridgeland, MS. Prior to working with C Spire, Smathers worked with Saks Fifth Avenue for over 18 years in multiple leadership positions for saks.com. Smathers has been a member of the BAC since 2014 and served as the President of the Council from 2021 - 2023.

"As a business student, some of the most impactful experiences for me outside of the classroom were from alumni taking time to share their advice and feedback. Since then, I've wanted to have the opportunity to help develop and shape others in the same way. The BAC provides opportunities to do so."

Education:
The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA in Management, 2005

Bill Tatum '59

William (Bill) West Tatum worked with the Blue Diamond Gypsum division of the Flintkote Company in sales in San Francisco, California. Additionally, he worked with the Greater Sierra Construction Company in Stockton, California, working in apartment construction. 

While at Southern Miss, Bill was initiated into the Gamma Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Pi and his passion for the organization runs deep. He served as the Grand President of the international business fraternity from 1976-1979 and continues to remain involved with the current initiates in the Southern Miss chapter. Bill has served as a member of the Business Advisory Council for more than 20 years, receiving the Life Member Award in 2024 for his outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to the Business Advisory Council. 

Education: 
The University of Southern Mississippi
BSBA, 1959