Hancock County Development Commission

John Zink - Executive Director

Mr. Zink was hired as the Executive Director of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission in January 2007.  Prior to joining the Port and Harbor Commission he served twenty-four years in the United States Navy before retiring as a Captain.  He is involved in a number of professional associations including District 8 Representative on Mississippi Economic Development Council.  He is a member of Leadership Mississippi 2009.  He is a licensed Architect and has earned degrees in Architecture and Engineering. 

Janet Sacks - Contracts and Development Director

Ms. Sacks began working with the Commission early in 2006 to assist with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts on both the FEMA and insurance fronts. She is a CPA having worked a number of years in public accounting and having earned a Masters in Health Care Administration. She worked as Controller of a small local hospital and owned and operated an urgent care clinic only months before Hurricane Katrina forced closure. Ms. Sacks has responsibility for Economic Development Department oversight as well as contracts, lease agreements, construction project management, litigation, and insurance and is actively pursing certification as an Economic Developer.

Joseph E. Baran - Finance Director

Mr. Baran joined the Commission in early 2008 as the Finance Director and his responsibilities of chief financial officer include the fiscal overview of all the business entities. Baran has more than three decades of experience in the financial arena, including controller of a billion dollar national bank, bank president of a state bank and CEO of a Navy based credit union. He is an accountant, with an advanced degree in banking from Ole Miss and the University of Oklahoma. Baran has also published tax and leasing updates, is an IRS expert witness and served on many leadership, professional, and advisory boards as director, treasurer and chairman.

Susan M. Veglia - Human Resources Director

Ms. Veglia was hired in 1999 as the Business Manager and served in that capacity until 2008, when she assumed the role of Human Resources Director.  She is a CPA with 22 years of experience in finance and accounting and 12 years of experience in human resources.  She is a member of the local and national Society for Human Resources Management.  She is past president and a current member of the Leadership Hancock County Steering Committee and is a 2005 graduate of the program. 

Stephen Landrey - Port Bienville Industrial Park Director

Steve Landry has worked for the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission since 2000.  He is the Port Director responsible for day to day operations at Port Bienville Industrial Park, and Port Bienville Railroad.  He graduated from UNO with a BS in Civil Engineering.

William P. Cotter Jr., C.M. - Stennis International Airport Director

Mr. Cotter became Airport Director for Stennis International Airport in June 1999.  With over 26 years of airport experience ranging from private, corporate and municipal airport management positions, he has overseen over $32 million of airport improvements at KHSA.  An American Association of Airport Executives Certified Manager, Bill is also an active pilot.  He sits on the Mississippi Airport Association and the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Boards. He has earned degrees in both Airport Management and Business Administration.

Kim Compton – Economic Development Manager

Kim Compton is a Certified Economic Developer and has over 20 years experience in the field. Prior to joining HCDC in November 2010, Kim served as Economic Development Director for the City of Gulfport, Research Director for Louisiana’s Department of Economic Development, Director of the Economic Development Resource Center at the University of Southern Mississippi, and Deputy Director of the Harrison County Development Commission. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in economics from Millsaps College and a Master’s Degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was awarded the Munro Petroleum Award for Excellence by a student. Continuing her studies, Kim received a fellowship from the USDA’s Economic Research Service while pursuing her PhD at Clemson University..

Lucien M. “Beau” Gex, III – Stennis Space Center Liaison

Beau Gex joined HCDC in January 2011 after serving 21 years as District Chief of Staff for United States Representative Gene Taylor. He has a B.S. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and has done post graduate studies at the University of Mississippi and Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. A native of Hancock County Beau is the liaison for HCDC to the Stennis Space Center and also handles special projects.

Teri Wyly - Commission Attorney

Teri Wyly, legal counsel for HCPHC since 2005, practices with the law firm Balch and Bingham in its Gulfport, Mississippi offices.  Teri and her firm represent several public entities in the Gulf Coast region.  Teri earned her JD in 1978 and is licensed to practice law in both California and Mississippi.  She serves on several community boards including Gulf Coast Symphony, Hancock County Community Foundation, Hancock County Main Street Program and is a graduate of Hancock and Gulf Coast Leadership classes as well as the Gulf Coast Business Council Masters Program.