After a year-long search and with Board confirmation, Mayor Steve Watkins has appointed Rev. Ben James as the City of Quitman Main Street Director. The mission of the Mississippi Main Street Association is to be a catalyst for the preservation and economic revitalization of Mississippi’s historic downtowns and districts. In his announcement this week, Mayor Watkins stated, “Ben brings a vast amount of experience, education and vision to the office, and we’re excited to have him on board as our Main Street Director.”
Ben grew up in Hattiesburg and graduated from Hattiesburg High School. He is a graduate of William Carey University where he holds a double degree in both history and political science. After attending college, Ben enrolled in the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained as a minister in the Southern Baptist denomination.
While attending college, Ben worked as an intern for Senator Trent Lott at his office in Washington, D.C. and has previously served as both Chaplain of the Mississippi Senate and Chairman of the Capitol Prayer and Ministry Foundation by appointment from Governor Tate Reeves. For the last five plus years, Ben held the position of Coordinator of Workforce Services for Jones College representing all five extended campuses including the Clarke County Campus in Stonewall.
In addition to serving in several pastorates in Mississippi over his career, Ben served in leadership positions in multiple Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs including the office of President. He currently serves as Pastor of Mt. Sterling Baptist Church in Butler, Alabama.
Interestingly, during Ben’s high school and college years, his mother served as the first Main Street Director for the City of Hattiesburg. The Mississippi Main Street Association provides visionary leadership to Mississippi’s most storied places. MMSA fosters economic and community development through strategies that promote community engagement, pride of place, and quality design to achieve long-term economic growth. MMSA empowers Mississippi’s local Main Street leaders to create vibrant places and thriving economies by implementing the Main Street Approach — organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality.
We welcome Ben to our community as the new City of Quitman Main Street Director.
