The Thames Advantage

Ann Coleman Thames

Ann Coleman Thames retired in April 2010 as the Director, Bureau of Workforce Planning and Development for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Following graduation from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, Ann started her career with the Department in 1976 as a payroll clerk at the North MS Regional Center while a graduate student.  She later held the positions of Regional Case Manager and Director of Grants and Community Services at NMRC.  In 1987, she transferred to the Central Office in Jackson as Director of Human Resources of an agency with 8,000 employees. During her 23 year tenure in this position, she served as a legislative liaison for the Department of Mental Health and developed a publication on how to work with the Mississippi Legislature as well as presentations on building relationships with legislators and grassroots advocacy development. She also interacted on daily basis with administrators in other agencies across state government.
 
She completed her Master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Mississippi in 1978.  In 2000, Ann completed a second Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University where she was named “Outstanding Student” and inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the Public Administration honor society.  

Ann served as co-campaign manager for 12 years of the "Billy Thames for State Senate" campaign, developing campaign literature, news media presentations, radio spots and assisting with the coordination of large public events.  Billy was successfully re-elected until his decision to retire from public office in 2008.
 
In 2008, Ann received the  "Bradley A. Sanders Excellence in Service Award" from the Mississippi Chapter,  Association of Behavioral Healthcare Management.  In 2009, she was named by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi's Fifty Leading Business Women and included in the Top Ten of this group.

   Our Team...  

    Click images below to read bios.