Our Story

Jon Pritchett

CEO

Jon Pritchett is President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy and the Mississippi Justice Institute.

Jon was formerly Sr. Vice President at the John Locke Foundation, North Carolina’s conservative think tank.

Prior to joining the free market movement, Pritchett enjoyed a 28-year career in the private sector as an executive, investment banker and entrepreneur, including serving as CEO while overseeing the turnaround of the AstroTurf brand.

Jon received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University and did his graduate work at the University of South Carolina and the University of North Carolina. He lives in Jackson with his wife Joan and daughter Claire and their dog Gage. The Pritchetts also have three adult children – Meredith, Zach, and Chase. When he’s not defending liberty, Jon likes to play tennis and golf, bird hunt, and garden. 

He’s also an accomplished writer and thought-leader as his opinions have been published broadly by many national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, National Review, The Washington Examiner, and The Federalist, and many newspapers across the country.

DIANE HAWKS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Diane Hawks brings to the Board experience in both the private sector and government, with a background in production agriculture, residential development, government and politics.    

During the Bush administration Diane was appointed Chairwoman of the Mississippi Farm Service Agency, which administers federal farm programs. After moving to DC, Diane was appointed Deputy Director of White House Management, managing the budget for the West Wing. She established and implemented a volunteer program at the National Republican Senatorial Committee to work on nine U. S. Senate races.  Diane was Congressman Alan Nunnelee’s Chief of Staff and later, in Mississippi, Deputy Secretary of State and Chief of Staff to Secretary Delbert Hosemann.   

When Diane retired she made a long-awaited trip around the world.  In addition to her love of family and travel, she has advised and worked on numerous local and state political campaigns. Diane has volunteered with the American Heart Association Go Red for Women and Habitat for Humanity Women Build. She has served on the Agriculture and Forestry Museum Foundation board, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy board and the board of directors of the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation.   

dewey lane

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dewey Lane, Jr., MD joined the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy in 2017 because he believes it is the most effective movement helping Mississippi to stay focused on and protect its traditional values of strong families, personal liberty and responsibility as established by the United States Constitution.

Dewey grew up in Hattiesburg where his father had a men’s clothing store and the family operated a farm in Lamar County. As a teenager he became an Eagle Scout. He worked one summer in the engine room of a cargo ship to Argentina and he worked two summers in the US Forest service in Wyoming and Idaho. He completed with honors his Pre-Medical studies in Nashville at Vanderbilt University, where he was President of the Student Christian Association and was on the track team. In New Orleans, at the Tulane School of Medicine, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree and did his Surgical Residency training in the Tulane Dept. Of Surgery. He became Board Certified in General and Vascular Surgery. He and his new wife, Carlana, chose to begin his surgical practice and their family in Pascagoula, Mississippi and have resided there since. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and has been active in multiple state and national medical and surgical groups, and has served on the Associate Faculty in the Tulane Department of Surgery.

Dr. Lane became active in multiple community activities, including Board Member of the Pascagoula Public School System for 7 years where he was Chairman during the racial integration of the system in the 1970s. He is a Rotarian and was active in the Mississippi Economic Council for many years. After serving on the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Education Committee, he was elected MEC President in 1976. During the Savings and Loan crisis in Mississippi he served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of Depositors Savings Bank during its reconstruction as a statewide savings bank from the defaulted Bankers Trust Savings and Loan Association.

He is actively involved in the United Methodist Church, and has served on the Board of MS Gulf Coast Youth for Christ. He and Carlana are blessed with a daughter, Robin Minton, and 2 sons, Hobson and Clayton, and with 7 grandchildren.

ilya shapiro

senior fellow

Ilya Shapiro is the director of the Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute. Before joining Cato, he was a special assistant/adviser to the Multi-National Force in Iraq on rule-of-law issues and practiced at Patton Boggs and Cleary Gottlieb.

Shapiro is the co-author of Religious Liberties for Corporations? Hobby Lobby, the Affordable Care Act, and the Constitution (2014), and editor of 11 volumes of the Cato Supreme Court Review (2008-18). He has contributed to a variety of academic, popular, and professional publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, National Review, and New York Times Online. He also regularly provides commentary for various media outlets, including CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision and Telemundo, the Colbert Report, PBS NewsHour, and NPR.

Shapiro has testified before Congress and state legislatures and has filed more than 300 amicus curiae “friend of the court” briefs in the Supreme Court, including one that The Green Bag, selected for its “Exemplary Legal Writing” collection. He lectures regularly on behalf of the Federalist Society, is a member of the Legal Studies Institute’s board of visitors at The Fund for American Studies, was an inaugural Washington Fellow at the National Review Institute and a Lincoln Fellow at the Claremont Institute, and has been an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Mississippi Justice Institute and Senior Fellow at Mississippi Center for Public Policy. In 2015, National Law Journal named him to its 40 under 40 list of “rising stars.”

Before entering private practice, Shapiro clerked for Judge E. Grady Jolly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He holds an AB from Princeton University, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a JD from the University of Chicago Law School (where he became a Tony Patiño Fellow).

GLORIA WALKER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gloria Walker resides in Jackson, Mississippi, where she lived for many years with her husband, the late William E. Walker. Together, they became a team with vision in civic and business affairs. Upon Mr. Walker’s death in 1993, Gloria exercised her skills in financial and organizational matters at the Walker office, as well as the home front, where she is a very active mother of three grown children and ten grandchildren.

With a continuing service ethic in the Jackson community and the State of Mississippi as well, Mrs. Walker was a former Sunday school teacher and, member of the Vestry of St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral. Further, she served on the Board of Goodwill Industries, St. Andrews Episcopal School, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mississippi Children’s Home Society, and was an active member of the Cancer Society and Jr. League of Jackson. She was Co-Chairman of Inaugural Activities for Mississippi Republican Governor Haley Barber. Currently, Mrs. Walker serves as Sr. Member of the Board of the Walker Companies, The Walker Foundation and serves on the Board of the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. Countless people have benefited from her vision, philanthropic interest and love of people. Improving the quality of life for her community is a passion for her.

In her more private life, Mrs. Walker has hosted a weekly Bible study for 25 years. She also includes daily fitness training into her schedule. She admits she is happiest when she is playing with her grandchildren, gardening, reading a good book, or entertaining family and friends at her home in Colorado.

LESLEY DAVIS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lesley Davis joined the Mississippi Center for Public Policy Board of Directors in February of 2019. Her deep respect and appreciation for the fundamental freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution have fueled a lifelong interest in law, public policy, and political philosophy. 

She received her BA in political science with a minor in English from Mississippi State University, where she served as Executive Director of the College Republicans, President of the Pre-Law Society, Student Association Attorney General, and Campaign Director for Senator Trent Lott’s senatorial campaign on the MSU campus. She was a starting guard for the MSU Women’s Basketball team and was voted MSU’s Homecoming Queen.  

Lesley received her Juris Doctorate from The University of Baltimore, where she was President of the Christian Legal Society and Executive Director of the Republican Law Students.  She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Arlin M. Adams, United States Office of Independent Counsel in Washington D.C. (previously U.S. Court of Appeals judge for the Third Circuit) and was later hired as an OIC Associate Prosecuting Attorney. She continued her career as a partner in a well-respected Baltimore law firm, where she focused on toxic tort and medical malpractice defense litigation. 

Since returning home to Mississippi, Lesley has served on the Young Life Executive Committee, the Jackson Preparatory Global Leadership Institute Board of Directors (currently the Board Chair), and a small group leader and large group teacher/speaker in women’s ministry at First Presbyterian Church Jackson, where she is a member. Lesley lives in Flowood with her husband, John, and their three sons: Jack (currently a student at Mississippi State), Charlie, and Will.   

jim herring

CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

James H. Herring is a native of Canton, Mississippi, where he resides with his wife, Beverly. Mr. and Mrs. Herring have a son, James, and two daughters, Caroline and Christine. He is an Elder at Grace Chapel Presbyterian Church of Madison, Mississippi.

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Mississippi, Mr. Herring served three (3) years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a J.A.G. Officer. He later served approximately 21 years as a Reservist and eventually attained the rank of Colonel (0-6) in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. Along the way he received the Army Commendation Medal and three Meritorious Service Medals. He was elected District Attorney for the 20th Circuit District of Mississippi in 1971.

His many years of legal practice has included extensive experience in criminal law; general trial practice in State and Federal Courts; Mississippi Public Service Commission litigation involving franchise rights and rates charged by public and private utilities; and municipal annexation litigation. He is an acknowledged expert in litigation involving public and private water and wastewater companies. 

After being appointed by Governor Kirk Fordice to the Mississippi State Personnel Board in 1996, Governor Fordice then appointed him to the Mississippi Court of Appeals in 1997. While serving as a member of the Court of Appeals, Judge Herring participated in over 1,000 decisions on the merits and personally authored numerous majority opinions, a number of which were published. He has also served as a Special Judge on the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Mr. Herring currently serves as senior partner of Herring, Long and Crews, P.C., of Canton, Mississippi. He also serves as attorney for the Mississippi Rural Water Association.  He served as Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party for seven (7) years; as a member of the Executive and Rules Committees of the Republican National Committee (“RNC”); and, through an appointment by the Chairman of the RNC he served as “Chairman of the Chairmen” of all State Republican Parties throughout the United States and its territories.  Mr. Herring was later appointed by President George W. Bush to the Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation for a term of six (6) years and served as Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board.  He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy and served as transition chairman for Mississippi’s Governor Phil Bryant at the beginning of his administration in 2012.

john marchetti

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Marchetti is Senior Vice President for Gallagher Risk Management. 

After graduating from Mississippi State University in 1983, he has been an independent insurance agent. He sold Marchetti, Robertson, & Brickell Insurance and Bonding Agency to AJ Gallagher in 2018.

Throughout his career, John has served on various insurance company advisory councils. He has also served Mississippi State and its alumni association in various capacities, including volunteer teaching of various business classes on campus and currently, as a Board member of the MSU Finance and Economics Advisory Board.

This is his second tenure on the board at Mississippi Center for Public Policy. He also served on the original board of the Mississippi Family Council. 

John is married to the former Linda Lloyd of Greenville. They have three adult children, Gray, Robert, and Joe. They are members of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Jackson where John serves as a Ruling Elder. 

Dr. Jameson Taylor

Vice President for Policy

Dr. Jameson Taylor is Vice President for Policy at the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.

Over the past 15 years, he has focused on state-level policy issues, with a focus on health care, religious liberty and good governance. He is a three-time Earhart Fellow, a Publius Fellow with the Claremont Institute, and an E.A. Morris Fellow.

He is the author of numerous policy guides, briefs, and journal articles and a contributor to Promoting Prosperity in Mississippi published by the Institute for Market Studies at Miss. State.

Dr. Taylor holds an A.B. in government from Bowdoin College and a Ph.D. in politics from the University of Dallas.

ALAN WILSON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alan Wilson is a native Mississippian who graduated from Mississippi State in 1981 with a degree in Marketing.  Currently retired, he owned and operated Howard Wilson Chrysler Jeep Dodge for 36 years.  It grew to be one of the top performing dealerships in the southeast.  

Wilson has served on a number of boards and organizations inside the automobile industry including the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association (president), Jackson Automobile Dealers Association (president), New Orleans Dealer Advertising Association (vice-president) and five years on the National Dealer Advisory Council.  

He served for 20 years on the Board of Directors of the USA International Ballet Competition (president)  as well as the Better Business Bureau. He is the treasurer of the board at Mississippi Center for Public Policy.  

Alan and his wife Karen live in Flowood and attend Broadmoor Baptist Church.  They have three adult children Shannon, Cayla, and Alex as well as two grandchildren Jackson and Bennett.

hunter estes

development manager

Hunter Estes is the Development Manager for the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. In this role, Hunter coordinates fundraising efforts, grant applications, and donor relations.

Hunter loves the Constitution, public policy, and the great state of Mississippi. He is particularly passionate about ensuring liberty in regards to religious freedom, pro-life issues, individual freedoms, and the free market.

Prior to MCPP, Hunter worked for Gingrich Productions, former-Speaker Newt Gingrich’s production team, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Team Ryan, Speaker Paul Ryan’s political organization, Senator Ted Cruz’s staff on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Hunter received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and is a proud Georgetown Preparatory School alumnus. He was born in Meridian but now lives in Jackson and attends The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.

Brett Kittredge

Director of Marketing and Communications

Brett Kittredge is the Director of Marketing and Communications with Mississippi Center for Public Policy. In this role, Brett oversees all media relations and marketing and communications needs for the office.

In 2019, Brett edited The High Road to Freedom, MCPP's expansive, free-market policy solution guide. Brett was also a contributor to Promoting Prosperity in Mississippi, which was published by the Institute for Market Studies at Mississippi State University.

Prior to MCPP, Brett was the Director of Communications for Empower Mississippi. He has also served in similar roles for the Mississippi Republican Party and the Office of the State Auditor.

Brett received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mississippi and his Master’s Degree from Abilene Christian University. Brett lives in Brandon with his wife Morgan and their three boys. They are members of North Brandon Church of Christ in Brandon.

Aaron Rice

Director, Mississippi Justice Institute

Aaron Rice serves as the Director of the Mississippi Justice Institute and is passionate about the vital role the Constitution plays in protecting our most precious freedoms.

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Aaron felt called to serve his country. He joined the Marine Corps and was deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines; the battalion would go on to suffer the highest number of casualties of any in the Iraq war. Aaron received the Purple Heart for sustaining combat injuries that resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee.

Upon returning home, Aaron earned a degree in political science from Mississippi State University and was awarded the national Truman Scholarship to pursue his graduate studies. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he developed an interest in constitutional law.

In 2008, Aaron was elected to serve as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention. He also served on campaigns for Governor Haley Barbour and Senator Roger Wicker.

Prior to joining the Mississippi Justice Institute, Aaron built his career as a litigation attorney at a nationally recognized law firm in Mississippi. Aaron is a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) National Trial College at Harvard Law School, and a Graduate of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy at Stanford Law School. He is also a recipient of the 2019 Buckley Award in recognition for his leadership in the conservative movement.

Aaron is a Deacon at Madison Heights Church, PCA. He and his wife, Kelly, live in Madison with their four children, Clark, Griffin, Ramsey, and Miles.

STEVEN UTROSKA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Steven Utroska is a fourth generation Mississippian and joined the Mississippi Center for Public Policy Board of Directors in August 2019. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in Geological Engineering in 2009 and has worked in both industry and consulting. He practices in civil and environmental engineering throughout the United States for primarily private clients in areas including manufacturing and electrical power facilities.

Steven is passionate about protecting the individual rights and economic freedom for citizens of the Mississippi.  He is a fiscal conservative that believes in limited taxation, a balanced budget, and positive job growth through private enterprise. He regularly meets with elected officials and travels to Jackson during the state legislative session in an attempt to follow the nearly 3,000 bills that are filed each year, many of which can be a detriment to businesses and jobs in Mississippi.  

He is the current President of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg, an active member of the Pine Belt Young Professionals, and the Director of Liberty Pinebelt, an organization that works together with business owners, citizens, and local elected officials to ensure burdening regulations and taxes do not stifle economic growth in the Pinebelt.

Steven and his wife April live in Hattiesburg and are active members at Temple Baptist Church. They have two children Asher and Adeline.

Steve Wilson

Investigative Editor

Steve Wilson is the Investigative Editor with Mississippi Center for Public Policy.

Prior to MCPP, Steve was the reporter for Mississippi Watchdog. He has worked for the Mobile Press-Register (Ala.), the LaGrange Daily News (Ga.), Highlands Today (Fla.), Enterprise-Journal (Miss.), the Sun Herald (Miss.) and the Vicksburg Post (Miss.).

Steve received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism with a minor in political science from the University of Alabama.

Sharon Ross

External Relations Manager

Sharon is the External Relations Manager for the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, and in that role, communicates with donors, oversees office activities, and coordinates events.

She came to work for MCPP in 2012 after serving on the MCPP Board of Governors, and following employment at the Jackson Yacht Club as the Membership Services Coordinator and Event Planner.

Sharon is from Eupora, Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a BS degree in Secretarial Administration. She and her husband, Charlie, live in Rankin County and are members of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. They have three adult sons.