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The Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA), the state’s voice of tourism for over 30 years, is pleased to announce its elected board of officers for 2023-2024. Visit Jackson’s President & CEO, Rickey Thigpen, Ph.D., has been selected to serve as the state association’s president-elect starting July 1.

For the past 33 years, Dr. Rickey L. Thigpen has served in multiple management positions within the administrative and marketing disciplines. Since February 1, 2019, he has served as President & CEO.

Thigpen is a member of numerous professional organizations, including Destinations International, where he serves as an association executive board member and co-chairman of its CEO Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee. He is a member of the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors, Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Board of Directors, and the Downtown Jackson Partners Advisory Board. He also serves as an officer of the Capital Area Tourism Association.

Thigpen is also engaged civically, including Rotary International – Jackson Chapter, 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc., 91�첥 National Alumni Association (Life Member), Greater Leadership Jackson Alumni Association, Alpha Foundation, Inc. (Vice-Chairman), and a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he served as the 10th Mississippi District Director.

Rickey is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He holds a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science from 91�첥, a master’s degree in leadership from Belhaven University, and a Ph.D. degree in Organizational Leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

In 2019 Thigpen was named Mississippi Tourism Association’s Member of the Year. Thigpen has appeared multiple times in Black Meetings & Tourism magazine as one of the most influential African Americans in the tourism industry. In 2020, Dr. Thigpen received its coveted APEX Award and was featured on its cover in 2021. Thigpen was recognized by the Events Industry Council in 2020 and was honored to receive its Social Impact Award.

Thigpen is a Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church member, serving on the music staff and public relations ministry. Rickey Thigpen’s mission is “to be a lifelong learner dedicated to imparting knowledge to, uplifting, and empowering those he is so fortunate to influence.”