Our Team

James Lamar Cummins, Jr.

Executive Director

James is Wildlife Mississippi’s Executive Director, a position he has held since the organization was formed in 1997. He is a certified fisheries and wildlife biologist and holds a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State, and a master’s degree from Virginia Tech. James, who previously worked for the late U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, helped develop federal legislation such as the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, and the Endangered Species Recovery Program. James, a native of Greenville, also serves as president of the Boone and Crockett Club, North America’s oldest conservation organization; a board member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; a board member of the Black Landowner’s Agricultural and Conservation Land Trust; and board member of the Binational Softwood Lumber Council. He is a former board member of the Mississippi Forestry Commission and a former chairman of the Mississippi Institute for Forest Inventory. He co-edited several books: Fish and Wildlife Management, A Handbook for Mississippi Landowners; North American Wildlife Policy and Law; and The Poacher’s Nightmare, Untold Stories of an Undercover Game Warden. James owns his family’s farm, which has been in operation since 1833. He and his wife, Martha Dalrymple, live in Amory and manage her family’s timber and cattle operations. James enjoys big game and upland bird hunting, fly fishing, and photographing wildlife.

(662) 686-3375
  jcummins@wildlifemiss.org

Rob Ballinger

Wetlands Program Coordinator

Rob is Wildlife Mississippi’s Wetlands Program Coordinator, focusing on establishment and restoration of Wetland Reserve Easements on private land. He has been on staff since the organization was formed in 1997. Rob lives in Hollandale with his wife, Sherry. He enjoys, turkey hunting, fishing, and playing golf.

Jessica Bond

Administrative Assistant

Jessica is Wildlife Mississippi’s Administrative Assistant. She began working for the organization in 2021. She enjoys hunting and fishing with her husband, Jeff, and is passionate about preserving Mississippi’s natural resources for her three boys and generations to come. Jessica is a lifelong resident of Monroe County and lives in Wren.

Bianca Bordelon

Staff Writer

Bianca is a staff writer for Wildlife Mississippi. Formerly of Cleveland, she lives with her husband, Trey, in Lake Park, Georgia. She enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with family.

Alyene Boyles

Communications Coordinator

Alyene is Wildlife Mississippi’s Communications Coordinator. She helps with the production of various printed materials, including the organization’s quarterly magazine, and other communication efforts. Alyene, a native of Brooklyn, New York, lives in Amory.

Kimberly Clayton

Farm Bill Outreach Specialist

Kimberly is Wildlife Mississippi’s Farm Bill Outreach Specialist. She helps landowners, farmers, and ranchers implement Farm Bill conservation projects. Kimberly, who began working for Wildlife Mississippi in 2023, has a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Alcorn State University. She also is a cattle producer.

Jacob Dillard

Forester and Land Manager

Jacob Dillard serves as a Forester and Land Manager for Wildlife Mississippi, working on Wildlife Mississippi lands to promote sustainable forestry and improve wildlife habitat. He earned his associate’s degree in forestry from Itawamba Community College and his bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from Mississippi State University in 2025. Jacob has a strong passion for the outdoors and enjoys fishing and working on cars in his free time.

Jacob Goff

Coastal Biologist

Jacob Goff is the Coastal Biologist for Wildlife Mississippi working primarily in the six southernmost counties of the state. Jacob has a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Southern Mississippi. He manages wildlife habitats with practices such as prescribed fire and invasive species removal and with technologies such as drones and geospatial analysis. He lives in Ocean Springs with his wife, Amanda, and enjoys bow hunting and fishing.

Camille Green

Conservation Policy Coordinator

Camille is Wildlife Mississippi’s Conservation Policy Coordinator. She is an associate wildlife biologist and 2022 graduate of Mississippi State University, earning bachelor’s degrees in wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture as well as in political science. While at Mississippi State, she was an ambassador for the College of Forest Resources, an undergraduate researcher, and 2022 William A. Demmer Scholar. She also received statewide recognition for her work to expand conservation and agriculture education programs across Mississippi.

Steven Gruchy

Conservation Banking Program Coordinator

Steven is Wildlife Mississippi’s Conservation Banking Program Coordinator, a position he had held since 2011.  His duties include developing the goals and objectives of Wildlife Mississippi’s mitigation banking program; coordinating efforts for the development and implementation of wetland and stream mitigation projects; providing technical assistance to landowners concerning habitat enhancement and restoration and available cost-share programs; assisting private landowners with the implementation of habitat improvements, specifically in Northeast Mississippi and the Blackland Prairie region of Mississippi and Alabama; and working closely with state and federal personnel on joint projects. Steven, a native of Starkville, lives with his wife, Benita, and their three children near Amory.

Meg Sinervo Hitt

Conservation Education Coordinator

Meg Hitt is a Mississippi native, born and raised in Oxford. She graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later received her master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from Louisianna State University-Shreveport. After collaborating with many local nonprofit organizations, Meg discovered her passion for giving back and serving through in need within her own community and state. She worked in the education nonprofit sector before joining the staff at Wildlife Mississippi as the Conservation Education Coordinator.

Meg currently serves on the board of the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Efforts (CARE) and is a member of Oxford University United Methodist Church. She resides in Oxford with her husband, Tyler, stepson, Frank and three fur babies: Anderson, Penelope, and Diana.

Jason Hood

Farm Bill Conservation Specialist

Jason Hood is a Farm Bill Conservation Specialist. Jason is a 17-year military veteran who served five tours in Iraq. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture from Mississippi State. Jason works with the Air Force and Navy, as well as private landowners, to preserve readiness and environmental protection around the bases through conservation easements. He lives in Olive Branch with his children and enjoys hunting, fishing, and SCUBA diving.

Christy Jacobs

Administration Support Specialist

Christy is Wildlife Mississippi’s Administrative Support Specialist. She is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Delta and lives in Leland. She and her family are members of Restoration Church where she sings on the praise and worship team. She loves to spend time outdoors with her husband, Wesley, two kids, and her dog. As an animal lover, Christy is very proud to be a part of Wildlife Mississippi and all the hard work that is done for wildlife habitats throughout the state.

Giles Kelly

Wetlands Restoration Specialist

Giles is Wildlife Mississippi’s Bottomland Hardwoods Forester. He joined the staff in 2019 and helps Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel and private landowners manage Wetland Reserve Easement tracts. Giles earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry with a concentration in wildlife management from Mississippi State University.

Jason May

Special Projects Coordinator

Jason is Wildlife Mississippi’s Special Projects Coordinator and a field biologist. His work involves developing Geographic Information System (GIS) maps for the analysis and development of conservation projects in Mississippi as well as the development of outdoor recreation and conservation education opportunities at sites such as Fannye Cook Natural Area in Flowood and The Old Cove tract in Webster County. Jason earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a certification in Geographic Information Systems from Delta State University. He lives in Cleveland with his wife, Courtney, and their two sons.

Bruce Reid

Outreach Coordinator

Bruce is Wildlife Mississippi’s Outreach Coordinator. He is a writer and communications professional with more than 40 years of experience, focusing on wildlife habitat restoration and protection, ecosystem-scale conservation projects, and wildlife management.  Bruce, who has worked with Wildlife Mississippi since 2012, helps promote conservation and restoration projects across Mississippi, and he helps with the organization’s efforts to raise funds through government and non-government grant programs. Previously, Bruce held several positions with the National Audubon Society, including Lower Mississippi River Program Director, and he worked as a staff writer for daily newspapers in Maryland, Mississippi, and Virginia, specializing in conservation, ecosystem management, and wildlife management. A native of Baltimore, he and his wife, Lisa, live in Vicksburg.

Kelli Rexrode

Financial Operations Coordinator

Kelli is Wildlife Mississippi’s Financial Operations Coordinator. Her work involves management of government and private grants, oversight of conservation projects, and management of office operations. In her role, she serves as a liaison to local, state, and federal agencies. Kelli and her husband live in Avon on her family’s farm, which has been in operation for more than 75 years. She has a vested interest in profitable agriculture as well as effective land stewardship. Kelli, who has worked for Wildlife Mississippi for 18 years, attended Mississippi Delta Community College and Delta State University.

Phil Sluder

Project and Operations Coordinator

Phil Sluder serves as Wildlife Mississippi’s Project and Operations Coordinator, supporting conservation and land stewardship efforts across multiple properties and easement programs. His work includes coordination on Mississippi River Trust easements in Louisiana and Texas, Wetland Reserve Easement tracts, the Fannye Cook Natural Area, and The Old Cove Natural Area.

Phil brings 38 years of professional experience in crop protection. He also has long-standing experience in precision agriculture, along with mechanical and welding certifications that support his hands-on approach to land, equipment, and project operations.

Phil lives in Leland with his wife and their two daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys Super Late Model dirt track racing, hunting, fishing, and boating.

Robert Smith

Coastal Program Coordinator

Robert is Wildlife Mississippi’s Coastal Program Coordinator. He is a registered forester and a certified wildlife biologist. Robert works with private landowners through the integration of wildlife, forestry, and agricultural management.  Robert earned natural resource management degrees from Mississippi State University and the University of Georgia.  Robert enjoys hunting, fishing, nature photography, and spending time with his family.