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/ Risk Management 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 after which she worked as Controller of a small local hospital and owned operated an urgent care clinic only months before Hurricane Katrina forced closure.  She currently acts as our Risk Management Director with responsibility for contracts, lease agreements, project management, litigation, and insurance and is actively pursing certification as an Economic Developer.

Sue Wright - Economic Development Director

As Director of Economic Development, Sue Wright promotes Hancock County as a premier location for new business and industry and together with community leaders and resources cultivates and environment where opportunities for existing business, capital investment and enhanced quality of life are maximized. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP). Sue joined HCDC in July 2009 after serving as Director of Economic Development for the City of Gulfport, Mississippi and Executive Director of the George County Economic Development Foundation in Lucedale, Mississippi. 

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

Susie 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.

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.