Mayor Justin McKenzie has been in a season of multiple accolades, such as being recognized as Mayor of the Year for consecutive two years in a row by Keep Mississippi Beautiful, and about to begin his second term as mayor. In his re-election, he ran unopposed. Now, there is a new distinction of being named in the Top 50 people under 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal.
McKenzie earned the latest honor under the elected official category, though he has been a public servant longer than that. McKenzie’s public career began at the age of 15, when he was a junior firefighter. From there, he started his law enforcement career by working as a Columbia Police Department dispatcher and a patrol officer. McKenzie ascended to captain before being elected mayor.
The ceremony took place on April 29 at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson, where he was presented with a plaque.
To earn the designation, a person has to be nominated, followed by the committee contacting the nominee to accept the nomination. Three reference letters were written by Jeff Dungan, Lawrence Hahn and Michael Kelly, as well as the committee conducted their own background information search.
“It was truly an honor to be nominated, much less to be selected,” McKenzie said on Thursday.
McKenzie said that, although it might look like he is doing a great job, he will be the first to admit that he’s only been able to accomplish what he has by having an awesome team to work with. He said to be truly successful, one has to have a great team around them, and he has had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people both directly and indirectly around the city.
He said he was also very shocked humbled to be included in that a list with such other prestigious people.
“I pour everything into what I do for our city. I am 100% dedicated to the city and to our work here. I believe in our community, and I believe in what we are doing,” McKenzie said.
When someone believes in something, it is a lot easier to make things happen, he said.
