John Helms

Background

About John Helms

John Helms Director, Information Technologies Mississippi Development Authority John Helms has been employed by the Mississippi Development Authority, the state’s lead economic development organization, for twenty-seven years, serving as Research Bureau Manager for seven years. In 2008 he was named deputy director of the Marketing and Communications Division of the agency and in 2010 became the Director of Information Technologies (CIO) for the agency. Helms has an extensive background in marketing, communications, and business research. He served as marketing director and/or vice president of marketing for four different Mississippi corporations over a 20-plus year span. He is sought as a speaker for national and regional conferences on technology, research and internet marketing subjects, and consults in these fields as they relate to economic development. He is currently serving on the Mississippi Digital Summit Advisory Council and he sits on the Board of Directors for The Mississippi University Research Authority, The Mississippi Council for Educational Technology, The Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems and is the Immediate Past Chairman for the Council for Community and Economic Research out of Arlington, VA. He, his wife Dre’ and their two sons reside in Florence, MS, where in 2005 he was elected Alderman to the governing body of the city and serves in that capacity today. His wife is a professional educator, curricula writer working for an educational non-profit based in Kansas. Helms earned his Master of Science Degree in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from The University of Mississippi. Specialties: I am experienced in electronic research, communications techniques having spoken nationally on the subjects. With more than 40-years of combined experience in Marketing/Communications, Economic Development, and Technology Specialties, my knowledge and experience of the dynamics in the fields is a valued asset to ED organizations nationally. I am a proficient business/technical writer with a journalistic background/education possessing the ability to communicate to widely varied audiences and markets.