In a 4-0 vote last week, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors chose Carmen Yvonne Davis as it’s new County Administrator, effective immediately. (Supervisor Phil Fisher is on leave to fulfill military obligations and did not vote.).
Davis’ appointment ends a six-month vacancy of the position.
The Detroit native is excited about her new appointment. “I was looking [for employment] with the City of Jackson and other arenas, but when this opportunity arose, I said, ‘Oh goodness, this is a perfect fit,” she said to The Mississippi Link. “This is where I should be, because I’m so used to working with the legislative [body of] government. I worked for the City of Detroit City Council and City Planning Commission for 10 years.”
From a pool of about 60 applicants, Board President Robert Graham said there were several deciding factors which made Davis stand out for the position. “Number one, we were looking for an individual, be it male or female, that we felt could bridge the gap between the county employees and the supervisors; to make sure that we are communicating with each other,” said Graham. “We were looking for someone who had the educational background we needed, in which she does have a degree in urban planning and also a master’s degree in business administration. She has a very strong resume.”
Davis’ experience in writing ordinances and her zoning experience are essential to the county. “A lot of people are not familiar with the zoning issues that the county has to deal with within the city. That’s a very important area,” Graham stated.
“In her position as County Administrator, she is the CEO of Hinds County. The day-to-day operations of the county come under her span of control. She runs everything from budgeting to the youth detention center,’” Graham said.
However, he emphasized that the board will not place any unrealistic expectations on her. “We don’t want her to feel that she has to wear a cape and be superwoman,” he said.
Speaking of superwoman, Davis is the first female to hold the position as County Administrator in Hinds.
Davis wants citizens to know that she has an open door policy and that she is approachable. She will look at holding community forums to help better educate citizens about how to access county government. She is prepared to foster and strengthen new and existing relationships between Hinds County and community leaders, residents, business owners, non-profit organizations and governmental officials through innovation, consensus building and “good old-fashioned” hard work.
Some employees are also pleased at Davis’ appointment. “I am excited about this progressive step the Board has taken in hiring, not only the first female [county] administrator, but [also] one who is well-qualified and capable of performing her duties effectively and efficiently,” said Sharon Sims, the county’s grants specialist. “I think Mrs. Davis’ background is going to be a huge asset in that she offers a fresh, new perspective with seasoned, veteran experience.”
With no ties to Mississippi, Davis relocated to Mississippi about a year ago with her husband Rev. Al Davis and their five children. Rev. Davis also teaches math at Jim Hill High School.
“We felt we got a calling to come down and begin a ministry here,” she said.
During her tenure in Detroit, the Wayne State University graduate made numerous professional achievements. She served as project manager over major residential, retail, industrial and manufacturing projects, such as the development of the Gardenview Estates (a former public housing complex); construction of two Super Kmart Centers, the Chrysler Mack Avenue Engine Plant and Marathon Oil Company’s refinery expansion.
As a city planner, she addressed community issues such as the lack of recreational facilities and programs. She was also pivotal to the accountability of city departments to the City Council by reviewing and analyzing departmental budgets during the annual budget process. Additionally, Davis authored several ordinances, codes and policies which tackled issues relevant to the inner city. She was also influential in the first major revision to the Detroit’s Zoning Ordinance. Before leaving the City Planning Commission in 2009, she was honored with the Spirit of Detroit Award for Outstanding Public Servant.
For recreation, she enjoys being with her family and loves to bowl. “My husband and I both love to bowl. I came up in a bowling family. I love to laugh and enjoy being with friends,” Davis said.
Also during last week’s meeting, Graham and his colleagues acknowledged and thanked Ray Bryant for the “stellar “job he has done over the past several months as the interim administrator. He commended him for a job well-done and the fortitude to step up to the plate during a time when Hinds County needed his service.
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