Governor Tate Reeves honored Lisa Campbell of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and Dr. Michael Heindl of Northwest Mississippi Community College (NMCC) with the 2025 Excellence in Government Awards. The foundation of these awards is to encourage the development of innovative systems of public administration. In 2012, the Mississippi State Personnel Board established and presented the inaugural Excellence in Government Awards at the direction of the Mississippi Legislature.

The recipient of the Excellence in State Government Award is Lisa Campbell, who leads the Energy Security Program within the Mississippi Development Authority’s Energy and Natural Resources Division. Campbell led a comprehensive overhaul of Mississippi’s State Energy Security Plan (SESP), producing the first plan in state history to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) rigorous cyber-physical security standards. Following the plan’s approval, she organized Mississippi’s first State Energy Security Summit and led tabletop exercises with key agency leaders, strengthening collaboration among the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Public Service Commission (PSC), and other state partners. Her work earned recognition from DOE and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) as a national model for energy preparedness.

Over the past few years, Campbell has overseen energy education and workforce development initiatives and serves as Mississippi’s energy security liaison to federal partners. Since joining MDA in 2003, she has advanced energy education by providing K-12 educators with professional development opportunities that enhance student engagement and understanding. Campbell holds a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University and a master’s degree from Jackson State University, and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

The recipient of the Excellence in Local Government Award is Dr. Michael Heindl, president of Northwest Mississippi Community College. Under his leadership, NMCC has achieved 12 consecutive semesters of increases in enrollment and completed more than $100 million in construction projects.  This includes the development of the Concourse, a new campus designed to expand career-technical training and workforce education in partnership with Panola County and the City of Batesville.

Since becoming president in 2018, Heindl has strengthened every facet of the institution both fiscally and culturally. Through disciplined financial management, he increased the college’s reserve operating capital from less than one month to more than seven months and launched NWCC’s first capital campaign, securing nearly $10 million and growing the foundation’s endowment to more than $15 million.

Under his leadership, NMCC Ranger athletics have earned national championships in women’s soccer, cheer, and dance, while repeatedly receiving NJCAA All-Academic Team of the Year honors. Heindl also spearheaded the creation of the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts, establishing both a student learning laboratory and a regional cultural hub.

Before becoming NWCC’s ninth president, Heindl held a range of administrative and teaching roles across Mississippi’s community college system. He earned degrees from Hinds Community College, Mississippi College, Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and Mississippi State University. His honors include the Community College Business Officers Outstanding Chief Business Officer Award and recognition as one of Mississippi’s Top Ten Business Leaders Under 40. He has also served in leadership roles with the American Association of Community Colleges, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the National Junior College Athletic Association Legal Advisory Council, among other state and local organizations.