Mayor Toby Barker appoints two new city administration nominees

This is a press release from the City of Hattiesburg.

Hattiesburg, Miss. - On Monday, July 3, Mayor Toby Barker named Kermas Eaton as his nominee for City Clerk and Moran M. (Randy) Pope, III as his nominee for City Attorney.

"As our administration begins to take shape, I am pleased to announce Kermas Eaton and Randy Pope as my nominees for city clerk and city attorney, respectively," said Barker. "Both bring excellence, integrity and work ethic to City Hall, and the citizens of Hattiesburg will be well-served by these talented individuals.

Eaton was hired as deputy city clerk in 2006, and was confirmed by the City Council in 2015 as the city clerk/director of administration.

"The mayor's vision for the city is already bringing new energy and fresh ideas, and I'm honored that he asked me to continue serving as city clerk," said Eaton. "I look forward to serving the people of Hattiesburg and to being part of the team that will make this city the best it can be for all of Hattiesburg."

Eaton will assist in planning, organizing and coordinating the general operations of all executive departments. He will advise the Mayor on research, legal, policy and budget matters.

Pope, a Southern Miss alumnus, returned to Hattiesburg in 1979 after law school and began practicing law at Pope & Pope, P.A. with his father and former Hattiesburg Mayor, Moran Pope, Jr.

"I am honored to be Mayor Barker's pick for City Attorney," said Pope. "I've spent much of my career representing public bodies, and I'm happy to have the opportunity to provide legal advice to the Mayor and to the Mayor and to the Council."

Pope will serve as legal counsel for both the Office of the Mayor and City Council.

Both Pope and Eaton, in addition to Ann Jones as Chief Administrative Officer, will be placed on the City Council's agenda for confirmation on Wednesday, July 5.