MISSISSIPPI STATE – Sumner Davis has been named department head of the Mississippi State University Extension Service center that supports local governments.

For 40 years, the Center for Governmental Training and Technology, or CGT, has led the development and implementation of educational programs for county and municipal officials, provided technical assistance to local units of government, and provided specialized publications for local government officials in Mississippi.

“I’m excited to have been given the opportunity to build upon the foundation of quality educational programming that has been laid at the Center for Governmental Training and Technology,” Davis said. “I look forward to working with the center’s faculty and staff to help local units of government improve the delivery of services to the citizens of Mississippi.”

Davis has served the center as interim department head since July 2010.

Gary Jackson, director of MSU’s Extension Service, said Davis helps provide leadership for expanding the Extension Service’s overall community resource development efforts.

“During his time as interim head, Sumner has demonstrated very effective administrative leadership for enhancing the center’s mission to provide Extension programming to state and local government leaders and Mississippi communities,” Jackson said.

An Alabama native, Davis holds degrees from Mississippi State University in history and public policy. He is married to the former Jennifer Landrum, and they have two children, Griffin, 8 and Addison, 5.