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| Affiliation | Republican |
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| Name | Lester Spell Jr. |
| Address |
Richland, Mississippi , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
Unknown
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| Contributor | User 13 |
| Last Modifed | RBH
Feb 24, 2015 02:57pm |
| Tags |
Caucasian - Baptist -
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| Info | As Commissioner of Agriculture, Lester Spell, Jr., believes in agriculture's potential to make a difference for every Mississippian by creating new markets and bringing money and new jobs to the state. "We have to move agriculture to the 21st century - to improve life for every Mississippian," he says.
Lester Spell is a sixth-generation Mississippian, whose family has farmed and been in business in the state since 1865. He and his wife, Sandra, live in Richland with their two children, Jason and Katie, in the house his great grandparents built. They operate the family farm.
Growing up, Spell was very active in 4-H. This early interest led him first to Mississippi State for pre-veterinary studies and then to Auburn where he received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1968. He then served two years as captain in the Army, supervising the inspection of perishable food shipped to Vietnam from the West Coast.
In 1970, Spell returned to Mississippi, beginning his veterinary practice and farming. In addition to raising blueberries and pumpkins, he oversaw the family's timber and wildlife management programs.
In 1975, Spell was elected mayor of his hometown - a position he held until 1996 when he took office as Commissioner of Agriculture. Under his leadership, Richland was incorporated and experienced phenomenal business and industrial growth. His experience and understanding of economic development enabled him to bring in many new businesses and create new jobs for area residents.
Spell currently serves as chairman of the Mississippi Fair Commission, Central Farmers' Market Board and Mississippi Board of Animal Health. He serves on the boards of numerous agricultural and economic development organizations.
Lester Spell is a deacon and member of First Baptist Church in Jackson, where he and his wife are Sunday school teachers. He also serves as an adult leader for the church Boy Scout troop.
He is past president of the Mississippi Municipal Association, Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Mississippi Veterinary Medicine Association, and the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce.
Spell's background in agriculture, his training as a veterinarian, and his record in economic development give him a good perspective for service as Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce as we move toward the 21st century.
Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell has switched to the Republican Party after nine years in office as a Democrat, saying his work within his department is more in line with the principals of the GOP.
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