BankPlus Prez Bill Ray tapped to lead MS Disaster Recovery Fund

The Board of Directors of the Mississippi
Disaster Recovery Fund met for the first time today and named BankPlus
President and CEO Bill Ray of Madison as president of the board. The
meeting was the initial step toward evaluating unmet needs in the areas
of North and Central Mississippi that were devastated by severe spring
storms.

Governor Haley Barbour created the fund in April as a nonprofit that
will coordinate donations to aid residents recovering from storms in
April and May that brought tornadoes and flooding to many areas. The
fund has raised more than $80,000 in donations. The board members will
determine the distribution of funds to address unmet recovery needs.

“The disaster recovery fund will step in and help affected communities
evaluate their needs that cannot be met by federal and state aid,” Ray
said. “Over the next several months, we will formulate a plan to assist
those areas. Many towns were truly devastated. The generosity of
Mississippians and people around the country who have donated to this
fund will greatly help these communities recover and rebuild strong.”

Board members include: John Arledge of Flowood, John Hairston of
Gulfport, Bennett Jeansonne of Natchez, Ramona Peresich of Biloxi,
Debbie Renfroe of Moss Point, Thomas McIlwaine of Ocean Springs, Hugh
Potts of Kosciusko, Van Ray of Yazoo City, Bo Collins of Union County,
former state Rep. Robert Clark of Ebenezer, Martha Dalrymple of Monroe
County, former Vicksburg Mayor Robert Walker and Kenny King of Choctaw
County.

Anyone who would like to contribute can donate either through the web
site, http://www.mississippirelief.com, by sending a check to the
Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund, c/o BankPlus, 4450 Old Canton Road,
Suite 101, Jackson, MS, 39211, or drop off a donation at any BankPlus
location.

Governor Haley Barbour Press Release
5/27/10