The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Complex. He/she is charged with the responsibility of directing the day-to-day operations of the agency as well as administering the policies of the Southwest Mississippi Mental Health/Mental Retardation Commission. The Executive Director is selected by the Commission and reports directly to that body.
The present Executive Director is Dr. Steve Ellis. Dr. Ellis, a licensed psychologist, has been employed by the agency since 1989. He began his career with the agency as the Satellite Director/Clinical Coordinator of the Natchez office after completing his doctoral internship in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, and later served as Director of Mental Health Services (2003-04). He began his tenure as Executive Director in 2004, and has over 20 years of experience in mental health/mental retardation services. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Mississippi Psychological Association.