William Gardner

Background

He was born in New Iberia, Louisiana and currently lives in Gulfport, Mississippi. In addition, Billy"s grandfather served as a chancery judge for many years, and his father served on the Gulfport City Council.

Education

University of Southern Mississippi.

Career

He is the mayor of Gulfport, Mississippi and the former President pro tempore of the

Currently serving as Mayor of Gulfport, Mississippi, the state"s second largest city, Billy Hewes is putting his experience to good use in building relationships and putting together a team of city leaders to maximize the opportunities ahead for his community. A tradition of public service runs deep in the Hewes family. He is a direct descendent of the first mayor of Gulfport.

Following a generational example of leadership, his family has enjoyed a long history of community support and civic involvement.

Elected to public service in 1992, Billy represented the interests of South Mississippi in the Mississippi Senate for 20 years, serving as President Pro Tempore in his last term. Among other roles, he has served as national chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council and as chairman of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.

In addition, Billy served as chairman of the Senate Ports and Marine Resources Committee and Highways and Transportation Committee, was the founding chairman of the Mississippi National Guard Legislative Caucus, and was named Mississippi Association of Realtors Legislator of the Year. He is an outdoors enthusiast and avid musician and serves on the Mississippi Blues Commission.

Hewes is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi.

He is the owner of Billy Hewes Insurance Agency and is a Broker-Associate with Billy Hewes Real Estate. Senator Hewes represented District 49, Harrison County, Mississippi. He served that district from his election in 1992 until 2012.

He serveed as president pro tempore of the from 2008 until 2012.

He was the chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, and served on the Business and Financial Institutions. Compilation, Revision and Publication.

Elections. Environment Protection, Conservation and Water Reserve

Ethics; Finance; Highways and Transportation. Housing; Insurance; Legislative Budget.

Municipalities. Ports and Marine Resources.

And Public Health and Welfare committees. Hewes was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi.

Achievements

• His proudest achievements are his 30-year marriage to Paula, and as parents to their four children.

Membership

He has been the recipient of the Nationwide Insurance Company"s District Community Service Award five times, and is a member of the Gulf Coast Board of Realtors and Gulf Coast Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. A graduate of Leadership Mississippi and Leadership Gulf Coast, Hewes is a member of the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Gulfport Rotary Club and is a past president of the Gulfport Junior Chamber of Commerce.