The next president of the Gulf Coast Business Council is a familiar face in South Mississippi

Jamie Miller, chief operations officer of the Mississippi Development Authority and a former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in Biloxi, is returning to the Coast to run the Gulf Coast Business Council.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such a professional organization,” Miller said. “My goal is to leverage the strengths of the business council ... and grow its influence across the Coast and statewide.”

Miller will replace Ashley Edwards, who is leaving his post as business council president and CEO to start three private businesses.

“I look forward to seeing what Jamie will accomplish as our CEO,” said William Yates, chairman of the Gulf Coast Business Council, a private sector group of business leaders. “I have no doubt that he will continue to lead the GCBC in the right direction.”

Miller’s hire was announced during a business council reception Thursday at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport.

“We have been working on finding the right successor,” Yates said. “I am excited that we have found that person in Jamie Miller.“

Edwards is expected to leave his current position by the end of the year.