26 THE CEO INTERVIEW Bill Lavers Executive Director of the Harrison County Development Commission Imagination is More Important than Knowledge The Executive Director of the Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC) Bill Lavers tells us all about his journey and the truly inspiring work he does. Read on. www.ceotodaymagazine.com 2 I began my tenure in November 2017. Having lived in various North American locales including Montreal, Texas, and Alabama, I believe the Mississippi Gulf Coast combines the best I’ve experienced. Some of my recent career highlights range from being a 2022 National Technical Honor Society honoree to an appointment to the Mississippi Defense Communities Council by the governor to being a recipient of a 2022 Forever Young Award. A banker for 17 years, I was a city president for two Alabama financial institutions, started my own mortgage company, worked for a private developer during Deepwater Horizon and have had other jobs ranging from mowing grass at 12 years old to lifeguard, bartender, construction framing crew, landscaper and retail positions. Along my journey, there have been many incredible experiences, challenges and mentors. Because of this, my passion in life is to create opportunities for others that they may not have realised were possible or within their personal capabilities. The Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC) was organised in 1958 for the promotion and development of harbours, seaports, industrial sites and other related facilities in Harrison County, Mississippi. HCDC is comprised of a 12-member board with five members appointed by the five city mayors, five members appointed by each of the five members of the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, and two members appointed by the governor. The organisation’s budget, land sales, and expenditures of over $25,000 are approved by the county’s board of supervisors. Harrison County is made up of five cities: Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, Biloxi, and D’Iberville. Each city contributes its own industries, amenities, and character to the area, and they all work together to create a beautifully productive place for business. Of the six South Mississippi counties, Harrison County has the largest population and the greatest number of cities and is bordered to the south by the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the county has a large military presence including Keesler Air Force Base and the 403rd Wing Air Force Reserve Command (home of the Hurricane Hunters), the Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport (home to the Atlantic Fleet Seabees), the National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Gulfport and the Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (Gulfport’s AVCRAD is one on four in the U.S.) housed on the CRTC base. This strategic central position has been
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