MDOT Chief of Staff Jeff Ely joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about updates on capacity projects, the MDOT leadership development program, agency recruitment efforts and much more.

• Show Intro/Jeff Ely intro – 01:14
• Regarding capacity projects – 02:49
• One-time money put into projects – 04:15
• Contraflow/Hurricane evacuation – 05:17
• On professional development program – 08:16
• Succession planning – 12:40
• Big capacity projects – 15:40
• Safety/Work zone awareness message – 19:56
• Favorite place(s) to eat – 23:23
• Favorite concert(s) – 24:32
• Show outro – 25:36

Additionally, The Extra Mile Podcast has been selected by panelists as one of the Top 20 Mississippi News Podcasts on the web.
MORE: https://blog.feedspot.com/mississippi_news_podcasts/ 

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about how she got started in politics, THUD Bill funding, her January 6 experience, the link between strong transportation infrastructure and economic growth and development and much more.

• Show intro/Cindy Hyde-Smith intro – 01:12
• Relationship with MDOT Executive Director Brad White – 02:18
• How Cindy Hyde-Smith got into politics - 03:07
• First impressions on being in office - 04:58
• Memorable moments/stories from D.C. – 07:58
• Committees/plans - 12:22
• Pine Beetle issues - 15:50
• Other committee focuses – 17:48
• On visiting home of MS – 20:36
• Regarding Mike Johnson - 21:57
• Big accomplishments/Bills - 23:09
• COVID times – 24:38
• Nursing shortage – 28:55
• Transportation Network importance - 31:22
• Favorite place(s) to eat in MS – 33:12
• Favorite concert(s) - 35:38
• Show Outro – 36:27

Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about the need for recurring revenue for Mississippi highways, anti-litter efforts, current projects and future projects possible with more funding.

• Show Intro/Willie Simmons intro – 01:14
• Willie Simmons on being Chairman – 01:54
• Conversation plan of Conference - 03:04
• Talks/plans with Legislature – 05:08
• Greenville Bypass – 09:32
• Other Projects – 12:07
• Willie Simmons on littering issue – 14:29
• Willie Simmons on lighting – 18:27
• Work Zone Awareness Week – 19:55
• Willie Simmons new place(s) to eat – 23:52
• Groundbreaking Ceremony – 25:25
• Show Outro – 25:57

State Treasurer David McRae joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about his path to public service, promote the Unclaimed Property Program, provide his thoughts on PERS and much more.

• Show Intro/ State Treasurer David McRae intro – 01:14
• David McRae background/position – 01:42
• Highlights/Big projects as the Treasurer - 04:37
• Unclaimed Property/Other Programs – 05:55
• College savings Program/Opportunities - 12:15
• Starting a College Savings Program - 17:15
• Importance of Customer Service - 17:50
• MS Constitution Counting Statement - 18:58
• The Vault – 19:56
• The PERS Board - 21:12
• Healthcare & Pension for state employees - 23:31
• Understanding Personal Finance - 24:14
• Legislative agendas - 26:17
• Greatest Accomplishment as Treasurer - 28:23
• David McRae’s favorite place(s) to eat – 30:17
• David McRae’s favorite concert(s) – 32:14
• Show Outro – 34:49

State Senator Joel Carter joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about how he got into politics, updates from the Energy Committee, his favorite place to grab a bite to eat during the session and more.

• Show intro/State Senator Joel Carter – 01:15
• Joel Carter background/Journey to politics – 02:06
• The benefit of working in the food industry – 04:39
• Energy Committee update – 05:22
• Timetable with Nuclear – 06:49
• Main topics of Legislature – 07:24
• Gulf Coast District Projects – 08:10
• Joel Carter on Buc-ee’s – 09:08
• Other Projects – 09:42
• Coast Bounce back from Katrina – 10:25
• Joel Carter’s favorite place(s) to eat – 11:48
• Joel Carter’s favorite musician(s)/concert(s) – 12:34
• Additional comments to constituents – 13:45
• Show outro – 14:10

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to provide an update on efforts to find recurring revenue for Mississippi highways among other topics.

• Show Intro/Brad White Intro – 01:15
• Brad White speaking tour/goals – 01:50
• Plans/Conversations for revenue – 04:35
• Brad White on Legislative support – 07:40
• Removing Obstacles/Confidence – 08:26
• Bill supporting Design Build Process – 09:54
• Capacity Program/Needs – 11:44
• Conversations on Sports betting/Lottery – 15:07
• Working at MDOT/Job postings – 16:15
• Show Outro – 19:35

MDOT Alternative Program Deliveries Division Director Jessica Dilley joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to explain the benefits of alternative delivery transportation projects.

• Show Intro/Jessica Dilley Intro – 01:13
• Jessica Dilley history/New Position in MDOT – 03:06
• Jessica Dilley on Design Build Projects – 04:10
• Design Build Project vs Alternative delivery – 06:17
• Alternative delivery project examples – 08:34
• Hurricane Katrina impact on projects/lessons learned – 09:26
• Retouching on limitations – 10:44
• Legislation action/Caps – 12:06
• Electric Vehicle Charging stations – 12:40
• MDOT’s role in project – 13:30
• Project Timeline/Mapping – 14:18
• Number of Stations – 15:32
• Women’s Transportation Seminar – 16:29
• Jessica Dilley’s favorite place(s) to eat – 19:41
• Jessica Dilley’s favorite concert(s) – 21:08
• Jessica Dilley’s first car – 22:05
• Show Outro – 23:27

Southern District Transportation Commissioner Charles Busby joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk his first two months as Commissioner, the future of transportation funding in Mississippi and more.

• Show into/Charles Busby Intro – 01:15
• Charles Busby Update/Project plans – 02:06
• Legislature/Relationship with Steve Massengill – 04:05
• Recurring revenue/Research – 04:28
• Program Sources/Funding – 05:35
• Focused efforts for recurring revenue – 07:50
• How that revenue is used – 08:54
• Charles Busby Current (Coast) Projects – 10:22
• Other Projects (Buc-ee’s) – 11:14
• What Charles Busby looks forward to as Commissioner – 13:00
• Tap Grants/Comradery with other cities– 13:44
• Charles Busby’s attention to Legislature – 15:32
• Charles Busby favorite/new place(s) to eat – 16:55
• Favorite concert(s) – 18:05
• First car – 19:10
• Show Outro – 19:59

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to discuss his recent op-ed in support of additional transportation funding, provide updates on The Dixie National Rodeo and more.

• Show Intro/Andy Gipson Introduction – 01:15
• Rodeo update/review – 02:02
• Mississippi AG and Outdoor Expo – 03:00
• Andy Gipson and MDOT Partnership on Sustainable Revenue – 04:10
• Current focuses of the AG department – 06:11
• Drought/Pine Beetle Crisis – 07:54
• Cattle Theft – 12:15
• Back-water pumps – 13:25
• Mike Mathis Memorial – 15:05
• Dixie national trademark Steakhouse – 15:59
• Sale of Champions/Expectations – 16:42
• Andy Gipson’s favorite place(s) to eat – 18:55
• Andy Gipson’s favorite concert(s) – 20:13
• Show Outro – 21:28

State Representative Steve Massengill joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to introduce himself and talk about his new role as House Transportation Committee Chairman.

• Show intro/Steve Massengill intro – 01:15
• Steve Massengill position specifics – 03:14
• Steve Massengill districts – 04:14
• Differences as Chairman – 04:50
• Big projects/Focused efforts – 05:27
• Sustainable revenue conversations – 07:29
• Legislative agenda/State affairs – 08:20
• Roundabout Hwy 72 – 09:30
• New committee members – 10:14
• Steve Massengill extra Legislative comments – 11:24
• Steve Massengill favorite concert(s) – 12:37
• Steve Massengill favorite place(s) to eat – 14:03
• Steve Massengill’s love for cars/favorite(s) – 15:00
• Show outro – 16:16