Mississippi High School Activities Association The place for high school sports in Mississippi 
Executive Director
Rickey Neaves
Executive Director
Joined MHSAA staff: 2011
Mr. Rickey Neaves became the seventh executive director of MHSAA effective January 1, 2021, succeeding Don Hinton.
Mr. Neaves joined the MHSAA in 2011 serving as Associate Director of Athletics until December 31, 2020. His duties included eligibility rulings and officiating for MHSAA sports, as well as overseeing the sports of baseball, basketball, powerlifting, soccer, tennis and volleyball. Mr. Neaves served as a member of the MHSAA executive committee for eight years and currently serves on the National Federation of State High School Associations Middle School Advisory Committee.
Mr. Neaves has 32 years in education, including the last 15 as a principal and superintendent with Booneville Public Schools. He also worked 17 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director and assistant principal for Lee County Schools.
Mr. Neaves graduated from Saltillo High School before earning his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Delta State University and Master’s of Arts degrees in physical education and administration from Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi, respectively.
E-mail: rneaves@misshsaa.com
Phone: 601-924-6400
Associate Director
Lonnie Tillman
Associate Director
Joined MHSAA staff: 2011
Lonnie Tillman’s responsibilities include overseeing cross county, fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, swimming and track and field. He also handles game ejections, sanctioning for contests against non-MHSAA schools, approvals for tryouts and helps coordinate the annual conference for the Mississippi Association of Athletic Administrators.
Mr. Tillman spent the past 14 years as athletic director for Harrison County Schools. He also served as athletic director for Pass Christian Schools from 1995 through 1997 after getting his start in education as a teacher and coach at Harrison Central High School beginning in 1983.
A native of Wiggins and a Stone High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College alumnus, Mr. Tillman earned his B.S. in athletic administration and coaching from the University of Southern Mississippi and his M.S. in Educational Leadership from William Carey College. He is a certified athletic administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
E-mail: ltillman@misshsaa.com
Phone: (601) 926-4513
Assistant Director
LeAnna Dawson
Assistant Director
Joined MHSAA staff: 2018
LeAnna Dawson’s responsibilities include overseeing archery, bowling, cheer, dance, and speech and debate. She works with MHSAA liaisons in the areas of choir and band and is the contact for academic eligibility issues and paraprofessional coach certification.
Mrs. Dawson came to the MHSAA after 27 years as a teacher in Jackson Public, Pearl, Clinton, and Rankin County school districts. Her various roles included cheer coach, Title I coordinator, department chair, and advance placement and dual credit instruction in the social studies.
As a native of central Mississippi Mrs. Dawson received a B.S. and M.S. in Social Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi and a M.S. in history from Jackson State University. She was an adjunct professor at JSU for 10 years.
E-mail: ldawson@misshsaa.com
Phone: (601) 926-4515
Director of Technology
Keith Warren
Director of Technology
Joined MHSAA staff: 2012
Keith Warren oversees all areas of technology with the MHSAA, including the official website (www.misshsaa.com). He also will be responsible for MHSAA photography.
Mr. Warren worked more than 21 years at The Clarion-Ledger, most recently serving as the Jackson newspaper’s multimedia editor and systems editor.
Mr. Warren is a graduate of Philadelphia High School and Mississippi State University and coached high school basketball after finishing college.
E-mail: kwarren@misshsaa.com
Phone: 601-926-4518
Assistant to the Executive Director
Mary Sheldon
Assistant to the Executive Director
Joined MHSAA staff: 1996
Correspondence and calendar for Executive Director
Gather agenda, record minutes for Executive Committee and Legislative Board
Compile hardship requests
MHSAA Handbook updates
Mailing of MHSAA penalties
E-mail: msheldon@misshsaa.com
Phone: (601) 601-926-4510
Administrative Assistant/Finance
Pat Hutton
Administrative Assistant/Finance
Joined MHSAA staff: 2006
Accounts receivable
Accounts payable invoicing
Financial subsidiary ledgers
Conference registration
District passes
E-mail: phutton@misshsaa.com
Phone: 601-926-4519
Asst. to Associate Dir.
Mary Mitchell
Administrative Assistant to Associate Director of Activities
Joined MHSAA staff: 2012
Statewide passes
Prepares medals, ribbons, trophies for state championships
Prepares for statewide officials meeting
Communication liaison with officials and schools
Completes certificates for state championships
E-mail: mmitchell@misshsaa.com
Phone: 601-926-4526
CFO
Lesley McLendon
Chief Financial Officer
Joined MHSAA staff: 2018
Finances
E-mail: lmclendon@misshsaa.com
Phone: 601-924-6400
Asst. Director
Tim Shramek
Assistant Director
Joined MHSAA staff: 2021
Eligibility, Powerlifting, MAAA
E-mail: tshramek@misshsaa.com
Phone: 601-926-4522
Greg Freeman
Assistant Director
Joined MHSAA staff: 2021
Officials, Golf
E-mail: gfreeman@misshsaa.com
Phone: 601-926-4514
