Jackson Free Press

Director of communications is one of the first administrative positions that Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. filled when he took office earlier this month. His choice for the job was Jacksonian Chris Mims.

"Mayor Johnson asked me to come back on board, and I was happy to do so," Mims says of his current position, which is his second time to work for the mayor's office.

A 1999 Millsaps College graduate, Mims, 34, entered the communications field while earning his bachelor's degree in English. He worked for a non-profit until 2000, when he came on to Johnson's staff (during Johnson's first mayoral stint) as a public information officer. Mims worked with the city for five years, until the late Mayor Frank Melton took office. From 2005 until last month, Mims served as the Jackson Zoo's director of marketing.

Fulfilling one of Johnson's campaign promises, things are going to be different this time around, he says, with transparency at the top of the list.

"We're going to work diligently to be as transparent as possible. We are going to work with the media in as many opportunities as possible to get the information out about the City of Jackson, what the taxpayers and citizens need to know, and the vision and direction of Mayor Johnson's administration," Mims says.

One of the first changes he's implementing is to put the tools of the 21st century to work, he says, including a city Facebook page, Twitter, e-mail blasts and the city's PEG TV facilities. Mims says that the city is also researching what it will take to implement the proposed JackStat system, which will provide citizens with immediate feedback on their issues, whether that's housing, repairs, cleanup and so forth.

"That's really going to transform the City of Jackson in terms of being accountable and transparent," Mims says. JackStat will allow the city to strategize solutions and efficiencies, and track their progress through its various departments.

"Not only is this an exciting time in the City of Jackson, but we're also facing some real challenges," he says. "We're going to need everyone to participate in finding solutions."

Previous Comments

ID

149648

Comment

love his ENERGY and desire to make a change.... add to the list: Revamp city's webpage - CHECK

Author

lanier77

Date

2009-07-16T08:01:29-06:00

ID

149703

Comment

I like what he said Tecnhologicaly savey Has previous experience Suggestion..continuously train all of city employees, director's customer service strategies, techniques and behaviors. Want to see 100% good service by 100% of staff? Run, do not walk to St. Dominics Hospital. The best staff I have ever encountered. Too bad I had to get sick to gain the blessing. For the training to work the Mayor MUST be visible, involved and the head cheerleader. It must be his vision!

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2009-07-17T05:30:15-06:00