Board of Commissioners
Derek Necaise
President
F. Derek Necaise was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District 3 Supervisor, Kodie Koenenn. Derek worked in the oil and gas industry, retiring from Rowan Companies after 40 years of service. Throughout his career, Derek held many positions, including: Offshore Installation Manager, Rig Manager, Area Manager, Vice President, and Senior Vice President of Rowan Companies. As Senior Vice President, Derek was responsible for operations in Norway, Europe, North Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Derek graduated from Hancock High School in 1977. He attended Pearl River Community College and Columbia University Business School.
He and his wife, Marsha, have been married for 38 years, and have 2 children - Jeremy Necaise and Ashley Necaise Domkie. They have 4 grandchildren: Tryston Ladner, Austyn Ladner, Devlyn Domkie, and Gracie Domkie. Derek is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of Sacred Heart Dedeaux Catholic Church. He and Marsha own and operate a family business, Neco's Family Market. Derek also owns and operates Necaise Consulting Services.
Aline Ward
Vice President
Retired from Mississippi Power in December 2018 after almost 35 years of service. Joined Mississippi Power in January 1984 as a systems analyst in Information Technology, then held a variety of management roles of increasing responsibility within Mississippi Power and Southern Company. Promoted to supervisor of IT client services in 1989, named manager of client and technical services in 1992, manager of planning, engineering and budget in 1993 and manager of business unit and IT support in 1994, before being named regional chief information officer for Southern Company in 1995, then in late 2011 was selected to lead Supply Chain Management for Mississippi Power. As regional chief information officer for Southern Company, was responsible for providing strategic direction for information technology at Mississippi Power and for Transmission and Distribution business units across all four of the Southern Company electric affiliates, including Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power and Mississippi Power. Included were applications, infrastructure, telecommunications, networks, end-user computing and other technology systems. Oversaw the re-engineering and automation of many transmission and distribution work processes.
In the aftermath of Katrina’s devastation, our IT team played an essential role in establishing communications, which was a critical first step to completing restoration in an unprecedented time for our customers and company. Had the privilege of speaking at many industry conferences to share technology best practices, honor of being featured in Energy IT magazine, CIO Decisions magazine and CIO magazine. Selected by The Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women, by the CIO Decisions magazine for the Top 25 Leadership Award, which focused on IT leadership and business alignment. Was a member of the Edison Electric Institute/American Gas Association Technology Council and the Southern Company lead nationwide consortium of electric utility CIOs. Selected to chair Mississippi Power’s Leadership Development Council, which was an opportunity to fill a passion of helping employees develop and grow to their highest potential.
In leading supply chain management for Mississippi Power, oversaw strategy, legal requirements, processes and procedures resulting in the highest quality and cost effective goods and services being procured/contracted for the business to succeed, as well as warehouse and distribute materials throughout Mississippi Power territory and for off-system storm restoration. Our Supply Chain Management team played a critical support role in the largest construction project in Mississippi Power’s history. Participated on the Arkansas Mississippi Minority Supplier Development Council, Southern Regional Minority Supplier Development Council and was a member of the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance Board. In previous positions, was accountable for financial planning of large multi-million dollar O&M and capital budgets, based on priorities and implications on the business. Graduated in August 1980 from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a Major in Marketing Management. Also received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with honors in December 1983. Completed the Wharton Executive Finance and Accounting Program.
Recognized by United Way in 2011 for chairing Mississippi Power's technology committee, the committee provided United Way technology solutions to benefit their operations and provide long-term efficiencies. As well, she served six terms (Sept. 2013 until May 2019) on the Our Ladies Academy Advisory Council overseeing the technology committee and school initiatives. Attended Our Lady of the Gulf elementary school and graduated from Our Lady’s Academy high school.
Today, Aline and her husband, Rod, live in Bay St. Louis.
Robert Martin
Treasurer
Robert Martin was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District One Supervisor, Theresa Ryan.
Robert has over forty years of experience working for the second largest Class 1 railroad in the nation, having worked in the areas of Community Relations and Safety. Over the years, Robert served on 5 state-level boards for a national non-profit dedicated to highway railroad grade crossing safety. Robert, along with a small group of forward thinkers, helped develop the Grade Crossing Collision Investigation program which set the standard in training first responders on policy, procedures, and safety in responding to incidents on or near railroads.
Robert worked closely with local, state, and federal agencies to regulate and enforce mandates by the Federal Railroad Administration throughout the Southeast.
Robert is a published author and his works can be found in regional railroad magazines.
Ray Wesson
Secretary
Ray Wesson, Jr. is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast who was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2023 by Waveland Mayor Jay Trapani. With over 30 years of experience in financial services, Ray has lived and worked in nearly every Gulf Coast community. He is currently the Market President for BankPlus and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Alabama. Ray is passionate about community service and volunteer work, and he has served on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the Salvation Army, Gulf Coast Community Ministries, Home of Grace, MS Gulf Coast YMCA, Hancock Community Development Foundation, and the Southern MS Planning and Development District. He has also volunteered for the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.
Ray and his wife Morgan currently reside in Waveland and enjoy spending time with their five children and five grandchildren.
Michael Casano
Commissioner
Michael Casano is president of Casano Law Firm, P.A., which opened in 2006 in Diamondhead, and also is the closing attorney for commercial and residential real estate transactions. He has co-owned Aloha Wine & Spirits since 2007.
His legal experience includes working as a trial attorney and as a member of local law firms.
Casano earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi and a Bachelors of Business Administration from Millsaps College where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He is a graduate of St. Stanislaus College.
David Holman
Commissioner
David Holman, was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District Four Supervisor, Scotty Adam. David obtained a BBA, Marketing Degree and a Masters of Community Development from Delta State University. After working in banking and finance for over 15 years, David is the President of Ranchland Tractor & ATV in Saucier, MS.
David is married to Elizabeth, a Nursing Faculty Member at University of Southern Mississippi. They have two children, Houston is a Computer Science Student at the University of Texas Dallas and Angele is a student at Our Lady Academy.
Prior community involvement includes, Past President Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Past Chairman of Hancock County Leadership, Past President of Bay St Louis Rotary Club, Past Member of Dealer Council for Mahindra North America. David currently serves on the editorial board of Rural Lifestyle Dealer Magazine and was chosen as Dealer of the Year in 2018.
Paula Jordan
Commissioner
Paula Cuevas Jordan was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2016 by the District Two Supervisor, Greg Shaw; she currently serves as Interim President for the Commission Board and recently served as Vice President. Mrs. Jordan graduated from Hancock High School in 1986 and attended PRCC before graduating from Mississippi State with a degree in Industrial Engineering and mathematics.
Upon graduation from MSU, Paula married Stanley Jordan and moved to Mariette, GA where she began her engineering career with Harland Check Printers. After returning to Mississippi, she managed a family business for a few years and then enjoyed being a stay at home mom. Currently she is the manager of her husband's chiropractic clinic in Wiggins, MS.
Paula and Stanley have three children, Carson, a student and football player at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College majoring in pre-medical and Landon and Paige, who both attend Hancock High School. Paula is an active volunteer in the school district with both parent organizations and athletic booster clubs. She is also a member of Steep Hollow Baptist Church.
Derek Necaise
President
F. Derek Necaise was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District 3 Supervisor, Kodie Koenenn. Derek worked in the oil and gas industry, retiring from Rowan Companies after 40 years of service. Throughout his career, Derek held many positions, including: Offshore Installation Manager, Rig Manager, Area Manager, Vice President, and Senior Vice President of Rowan Companies. As Senior Vice President, Derek was responsible for operations in Norway, Europe, North Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Derek graduated from Hancock High School in 1977. He attended Pearl River Community College and Columbia University Business School.
He and his wife, Marsha, have been married for 38 years, and have 2 children - Jeremy Necaise and Ashley Necaise Domkie. They have 4 grandchildren: Tryston Ladner, Austyn Ladner, Devlyn Domkie, and Gracie Domkie. Derek is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of Sacred Heart Dedeaux Catholic Church. He and Marsha own and operate a family business, Neco's Family Market. Derek also owns and operates Necaise Consulting Services.
Aline Ward
Vice President
Retired from Mississippi Power in December 2018 after almost 35 years of service. Joined Mississippi Power in January 1984 as a systems analyst in Information Technology, then held a variety of management roles of increasing responsibility within Mississippi Power and Southern Company. Promoted to supervisor of IT client services in 1989, named manager of client and technical services in 1992, manager of planning, engineering and budget in 1993 and manager of business unit and IT support in 1994, before being named regional chief information officer for Southern Company in 1995, then in late 2011 was selected to lead Supply Chain Management for Mississippi Power. As regional chief information officer for Southern Company, was responsible for providing strategic direction for information technology at Mississippi Power and for Transmission and Distribution business units across all four of the Southern Company electric affiliates, including Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power and Mississippi Power. Included were applications, infrastructure, telecommunications, networks, end-user computing and other technology systems. Oversaw the re-engineering and automation of many transmission and distribution work processes.
In the aftermath of Katrina’s devastation, our IT team played an essential role in establishing communications, which was a critical first step to completing restoration in an unprecedented time for our customers and company. Had the privilege of speaking at many industry conferences to share technology best practices, honor of being featured in Energy IT magazine, CIO Decisions magazine and CIO magazine. Selected by The Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women, by the CIO Decisions magazine for the Top 25 Leadership Award, which focused on IT leadership and business alignment. Was a member of the Edison Electric Institute/American Gas Association Technology Council and the Southern Company lead nationwide consortium of electric utility CIOs. Selected to chair Mississippi Power’s Leadership Development Council, which was an opportunity to fill a passion of helping employees develop and grow to their highest potential.
In leading supply chain management for Mississippi Power, oversaw strategy, legal requirements, processes and procedures resulting in the highest quality and cost effective goods and services being procured/contracted for the business to succeed, as well as warehouse and distribute materials throughout Mississippi Power territory and for off-system storm restoration. Our Supply Chain Management team played a critical support role in the largest construction project in Mississippi Power’s history. Participated on the Arkansas Mississippi Minority Supplier Development Council, Southern Regional Minority Supplier Development Council and was a member of the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance Board. In previous positions, was accountable for financial planning of large multi-million dollar O&M and capital budgets, based on priorities and implications on the business. Graduated in August 1980 from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a Major in Marketing Management. Also received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with honors in December 1983. Completed the Wharton Executive Finance and Accounting Program.
Recognized by United Way in 2011 for chairing Mississippi Power's technology committee, the committee provided United Way technology solutions to benefit their operations and provide long-term efficiencies. As well, she served six terms (Sept. 2013 until May 2019) on the Our Ladies Academy Advisory Council overseeing the technology committee and school initiatives. Attended Our Lady of the Gulf elementary school and graduated from Our Lady’s Academy high school.
Today, Aline and her husband, Rod, live in Bay St. Louis.
Robert Martin
Treasurer
Robert Martin was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District One Supervisor, Theresa Ryan.
Robert has over forty years of experience working for the second largest Class 1 railroad in the nation, having worked in the areas of Community Relations and Safety. Over the years, Robert served on 5 state-level boards for a national non-profit dedicated to highway railroad grade crossing safety. Robert, along with a small group of forward thinkers, helped develop the Grade Crossing Collision Investigation program which set the standard in training first responders on policy, procedures, and safety in responding to incidents on or near railroads.
Robert worked closely with local, state, and federal agencies to regulate and enforce mandates by the Federal Railroad Administration throughout the Southeast.
Robert is a published author and his works can be found in regional railroad magazines.
Ray Wesson
Secretary
Ray Wesson, Jr. is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast who was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2023 by Waveland Mayor Jay Trapani. With over 30 years of experience in financial services, Ray has lived and worked in nearly every Gulf Coast community. He is currently the Market President for BankPlus and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Alabama. Ray is passionate about community service and volunteer work, and he has served on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the Salvation Army, Gulf Coast Community Ministries, Home of Grace, MS Gulf Coast YMCA, Hancock Community Development Foundation, and the Southern MS Planning and Development District. He has also volunteered for the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.
Ray and his wife Morgan currently reside in Waveland and enjoy spending time with their five children and five grandchildren.
Michael Casano
Commissioner
Michael Casano is president of Casano Law Firm, P.A., which opened in 2006 in Diamondhead, and also is the closing attorney for commercial and residential real estate transactions. He has co-owned Aloha Wine & Spirits since 2007.
His legal experience includes working as a trial attorney and as a member of local law firms.
Casano earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi and a Bachelors of Business Administration from Millsaps College where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He is a graduate of St. Stanislaus College.
David Holman
Commissioner
David Holman, was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District Four Supervisor, Scotty Adam. David obtained a BBA, Marketing Degree and a Masters of Community Development from Delta State University. After working in banking and finance for over 15 years, David is the President of Ranchland Tractor & ATV in Saucier, MS.
David is married to Elizabeth, a Nursing Faculty Member at University of Southern Mississippi. They have two children, Houston is a Computer Science Student at the University of Texas Dallas and Angele is a student at Our Lady Academy.
Prior community involvement includes, Past President Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Past Chairman of Hancock County Leadership, Past President of Bay St Louis Rotary Club, Past Member of Dealer Council for Mahindra North America. David currently serves on the editorial board of Rural Lifestyle Dealer Magazine and was chosen as Dealer of the Year in 2018.
Paula Jordan
Commissioner
Paula Cuevas Jordan was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2016 by the District Two Supervisor, Greg Shaw; she currently serves as Interim President for the Commission Board and recently served as Vice President. Mrs. Jordan graduated from Hancock High School in 1986 and attended PRCC before graduating from Mississippi State with a degree in Industrial Engineering and mathematics.
Upon graduation from MSU, Paula married Stanley Jordan and moved to Mariette, GA where she began her engineering career with Harland Check Printers. After returning to Mississippi, she managed a family business for a few years and then enjoyed being a stay at home mom. Currently she is the manager of her husband's chiropractic clinic in Wiggins, MS.
Paula and Stanley have three children, Carson, a student and football player at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College majoring in pre-medical and Landon and Paige, who both attend Hancock High School. Paula is an active volunteer in the school district with both parent organizations and athletic booster clubs. She is also a member of Steep Hollow Baptist Church.