(photo by Beth Wynn / © Mississippi State University)

Meridian native and stalwart civic leader Derron Radcliff will be formally introduced on Thursday, March 29 as the executive director of the United Way of East Mississippi. 

Radcliff, a member of the local United Way’s Board of Directors since 2013, officially began his new professional role earlier this week, although the leadership announcement will be publicly announced at the annual meeting at Weidmann’s Restaurant.

Leaders with the organization and professionals who have worked with Radcliff say he brings the right blend of vision, spirit, experience, and local connection to the agency that serves people in need from Lauderdale, Clarke, Kemper and Neshoba counties. 

“We’re very fortunate to have someone who has as much passion for and understanding of our community as Darron Radcliffe,” said Thad Quarles, who led the local United Way for 13 years. “He truly represents the next generation of leadership we need here in the East Mississippi community.” 

Radcliff, 38, has deep roots in Meridian and Lauderdale County, residing in the area his entire life, except when he pursured his bachelor’s and master’s in business administration degrees at Mississippi State and Alcorn State universities.

He most recently worked for a dozen years as box office and patron services manager at the MSU – Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts.

In 2016, Radcliff was named one of the “Top 20 under 40” by The Meridian Star, and was honored during two different years as Ambassador of the Year for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation. He was also listed by the Mississippi Business Journal as a young professional to watch in 2010. 

Charlotte Tabereaux, the education director at the MSU – Riley Center, has worked with Radcliff since the center reopened after a major renovation in 2006. She said his professionalism and drive to make a difference will help advance the United Way’s mission. 

“The United Way will do extremely well under his strong leadership,” Tabereaux said. “His love for Meridian as well as his dynamic personality will take him far in anything he chooses to do.” 

Radcliff said he plans to build on the solid reputation the United Way of East Mississippi has built through a history of strong leadership.

He hopes to use technology to share the organization’s mission and message. 

“The times are changing, and we’ve got to change with the times,” he said. “But we’ve got to keep our bedrock values and principles that have made the United Way the organization that it is in this community.” 

Organizations the United Way helps support include the Free Clinic of Meridian, L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen, the Salvation Army, the Boy Scouts, Hope Village for Children and may others. Radcliff said the United Way and partner organizations provide criticial resources to people in need. 

“Everybody has situations where they’re down and out because of circumstance,” Radcliff said. “The United Way is in place to support theses agencies to help people grow and prosper.” 

Radcliff also serves on the Board of Directors for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation and Mississippi’s Center for Nonprofits. He also graduated from Leadership Lauderdale and has helped manage and facilitate the program. 

ANNUAL MEETING

The United Way of East Mississippi will host its annual meeting at 

3 p.m. Thursday, March 29 at Weidmann’s Restaurant in Meridian.

Awards to be announced are The Community Cup Award, Volunteer of the Year, Al Rosenbaum Lifetime Achievement Award. Pacesetters will also be recognized.