Scaggs takes interim helm of Montgomery Institute

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Feb. 3, 2004
Dr. Bill Scaggs of Meridian, executive director of the Rural Community College Alliance and a consultant with the Stennis Institute for Government, was named interim president of The Montgomery Institute on Monday.
The Montgomery Institute, named for former U.S. Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, promotes strategic thinking and helps develop leadership in East Central Mississippi and West Central Alabama.
Scaggs said he will serve as long as he is needed on a strictly volunteer basis.
Bill Crawford submitted his resignation Thursday as president of The Montgomery Institute to join Mississippi's chief economic development agency. Crawford began his new job Monday as a deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority.
C.D. Smith, chairman of The Montgomery Institute's board of directors, announced Scaggs' appointment Monday during a press conference at the organization's 200 24th Ave. office.
As a part of the organization's leadership transition plan, Smith also announced that Judy Phillips, who worked with civic capacity development for the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University, will join The Montgomery Institute on a full-time basis.
Phillips said Meridian "is the heart of one of the areas in the Southeast that has great opportunity for growth."
She also said she has worked with this region of the state for several years and she is looking forward to bringing community leaders together and working on economic development and leadership programs.