Our Team

Jim Miller
Executive Director
601-339-2042 ext. 1
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Jim Miller is the Executive Director for the Mississippi Main Street Association, where he leads the statewide organization's administrative, advocacy, and development efforts and serves as the state coordinator of Mississippi for Main Street America. Jim previously worked as the Alignment Specialist and Assistant Director of Resource Development for the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB) in Jackson, Miss, where his primary role was to research and secure federal and private grant dollars for the state’s community college system and individual institutions where he managed more than $10 million in federal and state grants. Jim is a graduate of MCCB's Expanding Capacity for Excellence in Leadership and is also a graduate of the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy. He received a degree in political science and a minor in history at the University of Mississippi, and he received a master's degree from Mississippi College in higher education. Jim will obtain his doctoral degree in 2024 from the University of Southern Mississippi in higher education administration. He currently serves as a board member for the Mississippi Heritage Trust and is a deacon at Broadmoor Baptist Church. Jim is from Tupelo, Miss. and now resides with his wife and their three sons in Madison, Miss. 

Jeannie Zieren
Director of Communication and Marketing
601-339-2042 ext. 2
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Jeannie is the Director of Communication and Marketing for the Mississippi Main Street Association. She enjoys promoting Mississippi’s downtowns, and her work includes public and media relations, planning trainings for Main Street directors, conference and event planning, marketing and advertising, and communication services for the Main Street coordinating program in Mississippi. Jeannie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mississippi State University and a Master’s degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi. She received the Main Street America Revitalization Professional (MSARP) credential in 2018. Jeannie is a native of Jackson and a seventh generation Mississippian. She lives in Oxford with her husband Jon, son Grey, and daughter Ella Charlotte. 

Jennifer Lay
Director of Community Development
601-339-2042 ext. 3
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Jennifer is the Director of Community Development for the Mississippi Main Street Association. Jennifer worked previously for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, having served as Special Events and Projects Coordinator, Director of Main Street and Tourism, and as the interim Chief Executive Officer. A native of Olive Branch, MS, Jennifer attended Mississippi State University and began her career with the Partnership in 2005. After later working in the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships and the Global Leadership Continuum at MSU, Jennifer ventured back to the Partnership in 2013, where she most recently held the position of Director of Tourism and Interim Chief Executive Officer before joining the MMSA Staff in 2019. Jennifer obtained her Tourism Marketing Professional certification through the Southeast Tourism Society. Jennifer currently serves on the board of directors for the Mississippi Tourism Association as a member of the Tourism Promotion Act Ad-Hoc Committee and Co-Chair of the Membership Committee. She lives in Starkville with her husband John Michael and their two daughters, Addie and Jillian.

Beth Raney
Director of Business Services
Phone: 601-339-2042 ext. 5
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Beth is Director of Business Services for the Mississippi Main Street Association. Beth works at the organization’s state headquarters at the GM&O Depot building in downtown Jackson and is responsible for office administration, record keeping, staff support, and bookkeeping services. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Florida. Beth lives in Clinton with her husband, Jimmy, and their three children, Avery Grace, Greyson and Walker.