Glenn L. McCullough Jr. (born December 18, 1954, in Tupelo, Mississippi) is a Mississippi businessman, Republican Party politician, and economic development professional. He was executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, and had previously served as chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority and executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Glenn McCullough
Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority
In office
May 2015 – January 2020
GovernorPhil Bryant
Preceded byBrent Christensen[1]
Chair of the Tennessee Valley Authority
In office
July 19, 2001 – May 18, 2005
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byCraven Crowell[2]
Succeeded byBill Sansom[3]
Mayor of Tupelo
In office
June 1997 – November 1999
Preceded byJack Marshall[4]
Succeeded byLarry Otis[5]
Personal details
Born (1954-12-18) December 18, 1954 (age 69)
Tupelo, Mississippi
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLaura White[6]
ChildrenTwo
ResidenceTupelo, Mississippi
Alma materMississippi State University (B.S.)
ProfessionEconomic development

Early life

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McCullough is a sixth generation Mississippian. He attended Mississippi State University where he received a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics in 1977. He was vice president of McCullough Steel Products, Inc. and served on the staff of Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice. From 1993 to 1997, McCullough was the executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a Federal-state partnership that supports economic development efforts across 13 states in the eastern United States.

Tennessee Valley Authority

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After his time at ARC, McCullough was elected mayor of Tupelo in 1997. He resigned in 1999 when President Bill Clinton appointed him to the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority. President George W. Bush nominated McCullough as chair of the board on July 19, 2001. His term expired on May 18, 2005. During this time he also served in an advisory capacity to several Energy related U.S. institutions. During his tenure with TVA, the utility earned national recognition for its economic development efforts and launched its megasite program. McCullough's efforts at TVA were critical to securing Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Mississippi's second original equipment manufacturer in the automobile industry, which is located on a TVA megasite.

Run for Congress

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McCullough was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives when the seat became vacant due to the appointment of Congressman Roger Wicker to the United States Senate.[7] After coming in first in the Republican primary, McCullough narrowly lost the Republican runoff to Southaven Mayor Greg Davis who was then defeated in the general election by Democrat Travis Childers.[8]

Mississippi Development Authority

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In May 2015, McCullough was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant as the executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. In this role, McCullough is the chief administrator responsible for coordinating the state of Mississippi's efforts in economic development, business recruitment, trade promotion and development, and the Momentum Mississippi campaign.

McCullough is married with two sons and lives in Tupelo. McCullough has been mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for Governor of Mississippi in 2019.

References

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  1. ^ "McCullough named MDA chief". Clarionledger.com.
  2. ^ "- Consider Pending Nominations". Congress.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-12-30. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
  3. ^ Tennessee Blue Book 2005-2006 page 334
  4. ^ "4 Jun 1997, Page 14 - Clarion-Ledger at". Newspapers.com. 1997-06-04. Archived from the original on 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  5. ^ "30 Dec 1999, Page 12 - Clarion-Ledger at". Newspapers.com. 1999-12-30. Archived from the original on 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  6. ^ "Departing TVA chairman optimistic: McCullough predicts largest public utility will continue to thrive". Archived from the original on 2017-12-30. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
  7. ^ "McCullough makes House run official". Djournal.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Clarion Ledger: Election '08: Field set for congressional races". Clarionledger.com. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
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