Bill Cork and PJ Waldrop
- During Cork’s tenure, MDA has recruited over $34 billion in investments to the Magnolia State along with the creation of nearly 23,000 jobs.
Mississippi Development Authority Bill Cork has retired from state service, Governor Tate Reeves announced Wednesday morning.
Cork was appointed by Reeves in December 2023 to lead the state economic development agency following his tenure as deputy director. During his tenure, MDA has recruited over $34 billion in investments to the Magnolia State along with the creation of nearly 23,000 jobs.
Among the deals negotiated under Cork’s leadership are Amazon Data Services ($10 billion), Compass Data Centers ($10 billion), and Aluminum Dynamics ($2.5 billion).
“Serving Mississippi has been the honor of my career,” said Cork. “Nina and I arrived on the Gulf Coast more than a decade ago, and this state gave us far more than we could ever give back. I am grateful to Governor Reeves for his leadership, his trust and his friendship. The award-winning MDA team is in great hands with PJ Waldrop as executive director. I can’t wait to see the records they break next. It’s been an amazing run, and Mississippi’s best days are still ahead of her. Thank you, Mississippi.”
The governor thanked Cork for this service to the state.
“I’d like to thank Bill Cork for his years of service to our state and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Reeves said.
Succeeding Cork will be Paul Jerrod “PJ” Waldrop, the current Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of MDA.
Governor Reeves named Waldrop as Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority effective October 1.
“Mississippi is attracting record-breaking capital investment and creating thousands of high-paying jobs all across our state,” said Reeves in a statement. “PJ has been a key member of our economic development team, and he understands what it takes to bring major projects to Mississippi. I’m confident he will do a tremendous job leading the Mississippi Development Authority and building on this historic momentum.”
While at MDA, the governor’s office said Waldrop has helped lead the state’s economic and community development efforts and oversaw 12 divisions responsible for approximately $400 million in annual expenditures.
Since joining the agency’s executive leadership team, Waldrop has helped advance major economic development projects, led the agency’s first significant organizational restructuring in a decade, and worked to strengthen operations across multiple divisions.
Waldrop previously served as the first Director of the Governor’s Office of Military Affairs at MDA, where he developed Mississippi’s statewide military-community strategy, established a five-year strategic plan, and helped create the Defense Communities Development Council.
“Mississippi has incredible momentum,” said Waldrop. “I’d like to thank Governor Reeves for the opportunity to serve the great state of Mississippi in this new role. I’m looking forward to working with our team at the Mississippi Development Authority and leaders across the state to build upon our economic development successes.”
Waldrop has also spent more than a decade working in the U.S. Senate, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, State Director, and Legislative Director for U.S. Senator David Perdue. Earlier in his career, he served on the staffs of U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Thad Cochran and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
Waldrop holds a Master of Science in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Delta State University.
