The Pine Belt News recognizes the 2026 class of 20 Under 40. Read about Hunter White here and see the special section publishing on January 29 to read about all of this year's honorees.
As the City of Hattiesburg Deputy Director, Department of Transportation and Engineering, Hunter White helps oversee multiple divisions – including the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Hub City Transit, Traffic Systems and Management, GIS, and Engineering – all while coordinating critical infrastructure projects from concept through completion. He also assists in leading a team of more than 30 dedicated personnel, helping ensure the collective work is aligned, efficient, accountable, and community focused.
Hunter shares, “One milestone I am particularly proud of is helping facilitate the City’s continued investment in roadway rehabilitation – supporting an effort that has resulted in more that $34 million invested and over 134 miles of streets repaved and restored under the Barker administration. What makes this meaningful is not the metric alone, but the intentional effort to ensure improvements are made equitably across every ward, positively impacting neighborhoods, families, and daily quality of life.”
Hunter says, “To me, professional excellence is not simply defined by completed projects or numbers on a spreadsheet. It is reflected in how our work enhances the lives of our neighbors and strengthens the community we proudly call home. I strive to lead with integrity, transparency, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to outcomes that improve quality of life for those who choose to live, work, and invest in Hattiesburg.”
Hunter counts among his greatest career successes, and is deeply proud of, his significant role in bringing the Hall Avenue Corridor project to completion. When asked what leadership skill was the most challenging to develop, he replies, “Early on, I sometimes took difficult conversations or tense moments personally. Over time, I’ve had to learn to take a step back, separate myself from the emotion of the situation, and focus on what is actually driving the concern. That has helped me respond with more empathy, patience, and clarity.”
