Governor Reeves reelected chair, Cumings Smith of KY reelected vice chair, Cozart of AR is treasurer

Pettyjohn of DE elected chair and McCarty of MS elected vice chair of Legislative Advisory Council

CHARLOTTE — Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi was reelected chair of the Southern Regional Education Board at the most recent annual meeting of the board in Charlotte.

As SREB Chair, Reeves continues to lead the collaborative work of governors, legislators and state education leaders on SREB’s 80-member board to improve public education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.

“From nation-leading reading and math gains to an all-time high graduation rate that is among the highest in the nation, Mississippi is making history in the classroom,” said Gov. Reeves. “I’m grateful to my fellow Southern Regional Education Board members for reelecting me chair. I look forward to working with leaders from across the South to help drive that same kind of success in classrooms throughout our region.”

As the 65th Governor of Mississippi, Reeves continues to build on a strong record of leadership, to guard taxpayers’ dollars, improve educational opportunity and grow new careers so that Mississippi’s families can thrive.

Since he became governor in 2020, Mississippi has seen nation-leading educational gains, which have been called the “Mississippi Miracle.” Additionally, Gov. Reeves signed into law the largest teacher pay raise in state history.

Reeves signed legislation that will phase out Mississippi’s personal income tax and enable more Mississippi employers to invest in jobs and better compete in the global marketplace. He has also attracted record-breaking private sector investment totaling over $85 billion and finalized the six largest economic development projects in state history. During his tenure as governor, Mississippi overhauled its statewide workforce development strategy and achieved an all-time low unemployment rate multiple times.

Reeves was first elected SREB chair in 2025. He is a native of Rankin County, Mississippi, and a graduate of Millsaps College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Reeves and his wife, Elee, are the proud parents of three daughters, Tyler, Emma and Maddie.

SREB Board Officers

Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith of Kentucky was reelected vice chair of the board. She has served on the SREB board since 2020.

Cumings Smith, president of the National Center for Families Learning based in Louisville, began her career as a classroom teacher. She previously served as an assistant superintendent of the Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, an associate state education commissioner in Kentucky and senior director for U.S. regions of the National Geographic Society.

State Representative Bruce Cozart of Arkansas was elected treasurer of the board. He is serving his seventh term in the Arkansas House of Representatives and represents District 91. Cozart was appointed to the Legislative Advisory Council in 2015, the SREB Board in 2025 and has served as Arkansas’ Executive Member since then.

For the 95th General Assembly, Cozart serves as Co-Chair of the Joint Performance Review Committee. He also serves on the House Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee, the House Education Committee and the Arkansas Legislative Council.

SREB Legislative Advisory Council Officers

State Senator Brian Pettyjohn of Delaware was elected chair of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Legislative Advisory Council. He represents Delaware’s 19th Senatorial District and was first elected to the Senate in 2012.

Pettyjohn has served on the SREB Legislative Advisory Council since 2015, and the SREB Commission on Career Pathways. He is a member of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council and has served on the National Conference of State Legislatures Policy Board and numerous other boards and committees.

State Representative Kent McCarty of Mississippi was elected vice chair of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Legislative Advisory Council and has served on the council since 2021. He represents the 101st District in the Mississippi House of Representatives since 2019 and serves as Vice Chair of the Mississippi House Education Committee.

While in college, McCarty started Java Moe’s Coffee Company and now operates a chain of six locations in Mississippi.

The Southern Regional Education Board works with 16 member states and the District of Columbia to improve public education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Learn more at sreb.org.

Contact: Jahana Martin, Communications Manager, Jahana.Martin@sreb.org