Most recently Henry has served as an Administrative Judge at the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, a position he had held since former Governor Kirk Fordice appointed him in 2000.

“Mark is no stranger to Mississippi government and he brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge. I look forward to working with Mark once again and continuing the business of the Mississippi Senate,” stated Lt. Governor Bryant.

In 1983 Henry joined the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington. Henry later served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Energy.

After Phil Bryant had been appointed in 1996 as Mississippi’s new State Auditor, Henry served as Deputy State Auditor. A year later Henry was named the Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Kirk Fordice, and in 1999 he became Chief of Staff for Fordice.

Henry graduated with honors in 1976 from Mississippi State University with a degree in political science and was named to the MSU Hall of Fame. After graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Law, Henry served as a law clerk for former Governor J.P. Coleman, who at that time was the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Mark Henry is married to the former Kathy Gray of Columbia. Kathy is a counselor at Northwest Rankin Middle School. Mark and Kathy have two children, George and Elizabeth. They live in Rankin County and attend the First Baptist Church of Jackson.

Prior to serving as Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Bryant, Nosef served as Chief Counsel to Governor Haley Barbour. In 2007 he became the campaign manager for Governor Barbour’s reelection.

Nosef attended Ole Miss earning both an undergraduate degree and masters in accounting. He graduated from Ole Miss law school in 1995 and obtained an LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Florida at Gainesville in 1996.

“Joe has been a great Chief of Staff and I expect a bright future for him. He was a champion as we worked together during tough times of the budget and Medicaid. His leadership and vast knowledge of the legislative process is invaluable, and he will be missed,” Lt. Governor Bryant remarked.

Nosef will join the Watkins & Eager law firm in Jackson and his practice will include government relations as well as various areas of law, including taxation, corporate law, wills, trusts and estates, economic development, and public finance.

About Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant

Phil Bryant was sworn-in as Mississippi’s Lieutenant Governor on January 10, 2008 after capturing 59% of the vote in the November election. He started his career in public service as a Hinds County Deputy Sheriff and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 59 in Rankin County in 1992 and re-elected in 1995. Bryant was appointed State Auditor by the late Governor Kirk Fordice and re-elected overwhelmingly in 1999 and without opposition in 2003.

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