Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | M | Mississippi Business Journal

Winning Connections continues own winning ways with Pollies: firm's Brad Chism staying busy with Magnolia State projects.

Article Excerpt
Brad Chism's parents were killed when he was preadolescent, and the aunt he was sent to live with died soon after. The bitter circumstances life dealt him at an early age might have sent others spiraling into a life without purpose.

Instead, Chism, who grew up in Tunica, known for the squalor of Sugar Ditch, embraced life with a winning attitude. A graduate of Millsaps College and a 1982 Rhodes scholar at Oxford University, Chism earned a graduate degree in economics and later became a certified economic developer (CEC). Among his varied tasks, he has handled industrial recruitment projects, was executive director of the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, and worked directly for some of the nation's top leaders, including former Vice President Al Gore.

During Gov. Bill Allain's term, Chism managed the constitutional study commission that recommended changes to the 1890 constitution and was deputy director of federal/state programs. Recognized early as an emerging young leader by his peers, he was a member of the Mississippi Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 Class of 1994. The next year, he ran unsuccessfully for state insurance commissioner.

"Brad will tell you he's a 'roads' scholar, not a Rhodes scholar," said lobbyist Donna Mabus. "He's had...