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Over the years , I have had an interesting career path but none so greater than my current role with Mississippi Power . I have the honor to work for a company that puts Principle Centered Leadership and the “ 7 Habits ” first . Encourages it employees to volunteer , give back and be a part of your community ’ s change .
Derron Radcliff , Mississippi Power employee and Top 20 Under 40 Class of 2016
Being part of the change helps move our community forward
By Derron Radcliff , Guest Columnist
Shortly after graduating from college , I moved back home for what I had thought was a oneto two-year stint . Little did I know that almost 20 years later , I would still be calling Meridian “ home .”
I ’ m often asked , how and why I choose to stay . To be completely honest , I really do not have an answer to that question ; it just happened . I got stuck , as I like to jokingly say .
Right out of college , I began working at a local sandwich shop as general manager trying to build my resume in the areas of management and sales . I strictly took that job to only build my resume . Little did I know that job would help me learn the people of Meridian and Lauderdale County .
I got to know the regulars on a first-name basis , I knew about their kids , their hobbies and so much more . The diversity of people I encountered was amazing and fulfilling . I quickly realized that though I had grown up in Meridian , I was stuck in my circle of family and friends and the hodgepodge of personalities of other locals was fascinating to me .
But it was around 2004 when my paradigm began to shift . I remember one day after church service , my pastor — who just so happened to be a facilitator for Leadership Lauderdale — pulled me off the side and suggested I apply for the Leadership Lauderdale program . I think my immediate response was , “ I like to finish what I start , and I will not be in Meridian when the program ends .”
I had every intention to begin looking for jobs outside of Meridian . My pastor encouraged me to give the program a try and if I must leave before I complete the program , that would be okay . I ran it by my boss at the time and received his blessings to apply .
Little did I know what an impact this program would have on my life . Not only did I begin to apply the “ 7 Habits ” to my personal and professional life , I began to look at Meridian through a different lens . I began to get excited about Meridian and Lauderdale County and its potential . I wanted to help ; I wanted to be a part of the change .
Once my energy of Meridian and Lauderdale County shifted , I made a personal decision that I needed Meridian and Meridian needed me . Volunteering , giving back and being a part of the change was and is extremely exciting and fulfilling to me .
Over the years , I have had an interesting career path but none so greater than my current role with Mississippi Power . I have the honor to work for a company that puts “ Principle Centered Leadership ” and the “ 7 Habits ” first . Mississippi Power encourages its employees to volunteer , give back and to be a part of your community ’ s change . To move our community forward we must be a part of the change .
Derron Radcliff is Accounts Manager — Commercial for Mississippi Power .
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