MS SC546

Recognizes and commends Executive Director Richard (Rickey) A. Berry of the Mississippi Department of Human Services for his retirement.

Berry served 8 years with Mississippi Employment Security Commission, 8 years in private sector human resources, and 25 years with MDHS in various roles including Personnel Officer, JOBS Program Director, and Deputy Administrator for Programs.

Mississippi achieved the highest TANF Work Program Participation Rate in the nation for two consecutive years under his leadership and increased SNAP caseloads by nearly 50% without additional staff hires while maintaining program integrity.

Berry maintained strong payment accuracy rates that resulted in incentive payments from the Food and Nutrition Service, which were reinvested to improve system efficiency and productivity.

Resolution directs the document be presented to Rickey Berry and his family, forwarded to the Governor, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.