New Executive Director for the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
Howard Appointed Executive Director of Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
JACKSON, Mississippi - Mr. Chris M. Howard, of Madison County, is the new Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Appointed to the position by the State Board of Rehabilitation Services in February, Howard is a long-time MDRS employee, having joined the agency in 2000 and serving the past year as Deputy Executive Director.
“Mr. Howard brings considerable skills, talents, and dedication to the position,” states Board Chairman, Jack Virden. “His selection provides for a very high level of professionalism and continuity of the mission of MDRS at a time of extreme change in structure and regulations from the federal government concerning the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.”
Fifteen years ago, Howard began his career with MDRS as the Director of Internal Audit. In 2002, he was promoted to Director of Financial Management, Deputy Administrator in 2007, and Deputy Executive Director in 2014. Prior to coming to the agency, Howard worked as an Audit Supervisor at the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor.
Howard received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Mississippi State University. He is also a graduate of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government’s State Executive Development Leadership Institute, the Certified Public Manager’s Program, and the National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute. In 2014, he was elected as the State Employee’s Representative to the Mississippi Public Retirement Systems Board of Trustees.
Howard is active in numerous professional organizations, including the Association of Governmental Accountants, Mississippi Chapter, the Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing and Property Agents, and the National Rehabilitation Association.
Howard lives in Madison with his wife Dionna, a Madison County public school teacher, and their two children, Taylor and Barrett.