Let me begin by saying it is a real honor to have been chosen to sit in this chair that has been graced by two great men. Since Mississippi 811’s beginning, both Sam and Fred Johnson have led the organization with integrity and a focus on safe digging. Fred’s retirement was effective March 1 and let me simply say that I appreciate everything Fred has taught me and I will continue to cherish our friendship.
During our Damage Prevention Summit, the Board of Directors began the interview process to replace Fred as the President of Mississippi 811. After careful consideration on their part, I was chosen to be their replacement. I can honestly say that it was a very humbling experience.
Although I’ve been in the utility industry my entire life and having served on various 811 boards across the country, including the Mississippi 811 Board, I knew this opportunity would be both challenging and fulfilling.
For the past six months my focus has been on how best to enhance Sam and Fred’s vision and the Board’s expectations for this corporation and figure out how to advance Mississippi 811 into the future efficiently and successfully.
After careful thought I realized that one of the main ingredients was missing. My replacement. Where do I start and who do I consider? Obviously, I had to find someone that was a champion for damage prevention and safety, but they also needed to possess passion for industry. These factors, all put together, definitely created the perfect challenge for not only the present but the future. Many great candidates came to mind and several conversations and resumes were shared, but as I had learned many years before, the best place to start was in prayer with our Lord.
As I began to pray, a conversation that I had with a young man months before came to my mind along with other comments about this same gentleman that were made by some of the best damage prevention souls in the industry. It was then that I realized I needed to follow up on that conversation. We spoke several days later after my prayer, and everything just fell into place just as I already knew it would. This young man sent me his very impressive resume and spoke of his dream and passion for our organization, shared ideas he would like to see moving forward into the future and basically had me convinced that he possessed all the qualities that I was looking for in a leader. With nothing but excitement and determination, I reached for my phone and made the phone call to ask this young man to be our Director of Operation in which he gratefully and gladly accepted.
Mr. Cole Fesmire who was the Director of Public Works for the city of Olive Branch, Mississippi started his new journey with Mississippi 811 on January 6, 2025, as the Vice President – Director of Operations. We are so happy and blessed to welcome Cole, his wife Claire and their three children to the 811 family. Cole also served on our Board of Directors representing Municipal Utilities as well as the Mississippi Natural Gas Board where he will continue to serve representing Mississippi 811. Cole joins us with a broad set of skills that range from Damage Prevention to management, leadership, project management and he also carries a very high level of integrity. Please take the time to welcome and support Cole on this new and exciting chapter of his life.
On behalf of the entire Mississippi 811 staff, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and don’t hesitate to contact us with ideas of how we can improve that service.
Dig safely... it’s not just the law in Mississippi - it’s the right thing to do!