Judges in Forrest in Lamar counties have sworn in the officials that will serve those counties in their new terms, which have now been made effective following the November 2023 general election.
The Forrest County Board of Supervisors has welcomed three new members to its ranks – including a new president – while the Lamar County Board of Supervisors will remain the same for this term. Other sworn-in officials from both counties include but are not limited to sheriff, tax collector and prosecutor.
FORREST COUNTY
Forrest County officials were sworn in on January 2 at Forrest County Circuit Court on Main Street in downtown Hattiesburg. Perhaps the biggest change for that county is the board of supervisors, which now consists of:
- Gentry Mordica, District 1. Mordica takes over for former supervisor David Hogan, who vacated the seat after running for Forrest County Tax Collector.
- Sharon Thompson, District 2. Thompson is returning for her second term on the board after defeating opponent Gerald Steele in the general election.
- Steve Stringer, District 3. Stringer, who served more than 20 years on the Petal Board of Aldermen, takes over for former supervisor Burkett Ross.
- Rod Woullard, District 4, who comes back to the position after defeating opponent Brian Cawthon in the general election. Woullard was elected vice president of the board at the January 2 meeting.
- Terri Bell, District 5, who also was elected as board president during the board’s January 2 regular meeting. She takes over for former District 5 Supervisor Chris Bowen, who did not run for re-election in the general election. Bell is the first woman to serve as board president.
“I’m actually very excited to work with the new board,” Forrest County Administrator Jennifer Slade said. “I work for all five of them, so anything I can do to help to make the transition smooth, I don’t mind.
“It is the first time that they’ve had this many (new members) at one time, and now we have two females (Bell and Thompson) on the board. So I’m excited to work with all of them – the two returning (members) and the three new ones.”
Other Forrest County officials who were sworn in include, but are not limited to, Charlie Sims as returning sheriff, Zac Howell as new tax collector, Lance Reid as returning chancery clerk and Lisa Klem as new coroner.
LAMAR COUNTY
The Lamar County Board of Supervisors will see no changes, as all five members return to their positions following the general election.
Those members are:
- Steve Lampton, District 1, who returns for his third term on the board. Lampton also continues his role as vice president.
- Warren Byrd, District 2, who returns for his fourth term on the board. Byrd also continues his role as president.
- Terry Bass, District 3, who returns for his second term on the board.
- Mitch Brent, District 4, who returns for his second term on the board.
- Dale Lucus, District 5, who returns for his fifth term on the board.
“This is the first time (that I know of) in 40 years – and maybe even in the history of the county – that we’ve had all five supervisors return, which is good news,” Lamar County Administrator Jody Waits said. “We’ve got several major projects going on, and we’re going to continue working together to bring those projects to completion.”
In addition, Justice Court Judge Bill Anderson was sworn in for his 10th term, making him the longest-serving elected official in Lamar County.
Other returning Lamar County officials include Danny Rigel as sheriff, Martin Hankins as circuit clerk and Jamie Aultman as chancery clerk.
