Executive Director of the Stennis Center for Public Service

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it was appointed executive director of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service when the Center was established in 1988 to promote and strengthen public service leadership in America. Prior to his work at the Stennis Center, he was press secretary to Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi for 12 years. As the Senator's chief spokesperson, speech-writer and communications director, he coordinated activities and strategies aimed at achieving the Senator's mission and legislative agenda.

As director of the Stennis Center, Rex has been responsible for development and delivery of programs aimed at attracting young leaders to public service and providing current public service leaders with opportunities to further develop their leadership skills and capabilities. Participants in Stennis Center programs range from students in high school to Members of Congress.

Active in community development, Rex is currently president of the Oktibbeha County Chapter of the American Red Cross and is a member of the boards of the Starkville Area Boys and Girls Club, the Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the First Presbyterian Child Care Center, and the Foundation for Public Education. He is also past president of the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and currently chairs the Chamber's Education Committee. He recently received the Chamber's top award for community service. Rex has also chaired the local United Way Campaign and has served as Friends of Scouting Chairman and as a director of the Starkville Rotary Club. Rex is an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Starkville.

Born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, Rex graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in communication. He was a news reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal before moving to Washington to work for Senator Stennis.

He and his wife, Anne, who is a former legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, are parents of John Gavin and Catherine.