The Mississippi Department of Archives and History announced Wednesday that Barry White will succeed Katie Blount as the agency’s director when Blount retires next year.

White has been director of the department’s Historic Preservation Division since 2020.

In his current role, he administers statewide grant programs, oversees major preservation initiatives and works on building partnerships with local, state and federal agencies. He is also part of the leadership team for the partnership between Archives and History and Mississippi State University to turn Historic Jefferson College near Natchez into a regional hub for education, research and workforce development.

White will begin transitioning to his new role early next year. His first day as the director will be July 1, after Blount

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