Executive staff changes at Mississippi Department of Public Safety

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell has announced changes to his executive staff that will take effect on Jan. 1. 

Chad Williams has been named Chief Legal Counsel. Williams is replacing Mac May, who has  served in this role at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety since June 2020. Williams comes from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office (AGO), where he served as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Litigation Division, defending state agencies, their employees, and state officials. Before joining the AGO in 2018, Williams was in private practice for 12 years in the Jackson and Brookhaven areas. May is moving to the Office of General Counsel at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

Finance Director Liza Hammett has been named Deputy Commissioner of Finance and  Administration, replacing Steven McDevitt, who has been serving as Deputy Commissioner since  July 2020. Hammett has served in financial leadership roles throughout her 23 years of service in  state government. Hammett offers a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position and  MSDPS. McDevitt will be furthering his career at the Mississippi Development Authority as its  Chief Investment Officer.  

Captain Tadd Pitts has earned his promotion to Major and will serve as the Deputy Commissioner  of External Affairs. During his tenure, he has worked on the Governor’s policy team and served as  Executive Protection for the Mississippi Speaker of the House. Most recently, Major Pitts has  served as Director of Governmental Affairs since 2020. He will oversee the Department’s outreach  programs with other public entities and public information efforts.  

“I am proud to announce all these changes today. Each of these individuals brings an array of talent  and understanding to their new roles in their respective branches of the agency,” said Tindell. “Mac May and Steven McDevitt served their roles with high honor and integrity. I am grateful to have worked with them and thank them for all they did to help the  Mississippi Department of Public Safety grow to where we are now. I look forward to watching them grow into their roles as they expand their careers in public service.”