• Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, the only Republican to hold this position in more than 150 years.

 

• Key member of the Senate Insurance Committee and one of the writers of the 2007 Windpool Insurance bills.

 

• Member of Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Insurance, Congressional Redistricting, Legislative Reapportionment, Ports and Marine Resources and Universities and Colleges committees.

 

• Named 2006 Legislator of the Year by Mississippi Association of Realtors and 2007 Legislator of the Year by the Mississippi Homebuilders Association for legislative work in rebuilding the coast following Hurricane Katrina.

 

• While a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, supported passage and funding of the Rural Fire Truck program designed to keep rural fire insurance premiums low.

 

• In 1991, his small business, along with two additional companies, formed the first MMA Workers Compensation Insurance Pool for business in the state. Today, the pool serves over 250 member companies and more than 45,000 employees.

 

• Co-authored the 1994 Teacher Insurance bill to give school teachers health insurance.

 

• Native of Tupelo and 1966 graduate of Mississippi State University with B.S. in Business and Finance.

 

• Army Reserve veteran, serving in Vietnam 1968-69.

 

• Married to the former Mary Thurmond of Lexington. They are active in numerous civic and community organizations and the Episcopal Church Dioceses of Mississippi.

 

• Elected six times to serve as a Deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA).