Historic Preservation Division Director Chosen
A former college and university planning and facilities manager is the new director of the Historic Preservation Division of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). Marlin King succeeds Jim Woodrick, who became the new MDAH deputy state historic preservation officer in August.
King earned a bachelor’s in drafting and design technology from Jackson State University and a master’s degree in architecture from Morgan State University in Baltimore. King was employed as the assistant director of planning and construction at Jackson State University from 2004 to 2014, where he led building renovation projects, directed the implementation of a ten-year master plan, and managed $180 million in capital projects for the school.
“With many years of hands-on experience maintaining buildings, many of them historic, on college campuses, Marlin will be a great asset to MDAH,” said MDAH director Katie Blount. “We look forward to the fresh perspective he will bring to our work in historic preservation.”
Most recently, King has worked as the associate vice-president for facilities management at Alcorn State University from 2014 to 2016, the director of preconstruction, design, and sustainability at THOR Construction in Minneapolis, and as the facilities manager at Tougaloo College.
Barry White has been hired as the deputy director of the MDAH Historic Preservation division. White, pictured above right, who received his master’s degree in applied anthropology from Mississippi State University, began his career at MDAH in 2013. He became the administrator of the Certified Local Government preservation program in 2014. Most recently, White worked as a liaison between MDAH and the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
“Barry has a thorough knowledge of the work of the Historic Preservation Division and deep credibility with our partners across the state,” said Blount. King and White assume their new duties on Monday, September 17, 2018.
Housed in the Charlotte Capers Building in Jackson, the MDAH Historic Preservation division administers the duties of the State Historic Preservation Office and works closely with individuals, state and local governments, and federal agencies to protect and preserve Mississippi’s historic structures, archaeological sites, and other places associated with our shared past.