ZACH PATTERSON
City of McComb
Mayor Zach Patterson became the thirty-sixth and first African-American Mayor of McComb, Mississippi on January 8, 2007. Mayor Patterson was elected on November 6, 2006 by garnering 56% of the vote. As a mayoral candidate, Mayor Patterson defeated an incumbent during his first entry into the political arena. Defining his administration as “THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY”, Mayor Patterson’s vision for McComb includes: increased economic development; excellence in education; promotion of health and wellness initiatives; ensuring safe and secure neighborhoods; and providing opportunities for youth development and care for the city’s seniors. Serving as the primary goodwill ambassador for McComb, Patterson will pursue increased visibility for his city and plans to aggressively market McCombs’ vital , and strategic geographic location and its greatest asset: the warn, friendly and caring citizens of McComb and the Southwest Mississippi region.
Retiring at the rank of Colonel after an extensive and impressive 26-military career, Colonel Patterson served as a military officer in three different Army branches: Aviation Corps, Signal Corps and Infantry. Colonel Patterson is also a 1995 graduate of the prestigious and world-wide renowned, U.S. Army War College. He commanded at platoon, company, battalion and brigade level equivalents, serving six years in the Pentagon on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Additionally, he commanded the U.S. Army Signal Activity in Washington, DC and served as Chief Information Officer for the Military District of Washington, providing information technology services to more than 12,000 military personnel an civilian customers in the Military District. Colonel Patterson is also a pilot, senior army aviator and airborne (parachutist) qualified.
Mayor Patterson also served as the Chief Information Officer for the American Cancer Society and was directly responsible for over 200 employees and a $25+ Million budget. Prior to his election as Mayor, he served on the McComb Pike County Airport Board. He is a life member of the Military Officers Association, Army War College Association, Army Aviation Association, USM Alumni Association, NAACP, and a member of Flowery Mount Baptist Church of McComb.
The son of Zebedee and Minnie Patterson, life long residents of McComb. Mayor Patterson is proud to say, “I was born in McComb and reared on Summit Street in McComb.” Mayor Patterson is excited about and committed to serving his hometown. Graduating from Higgins High School in 1970 and obtaining a Bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Public Administration from Auburn University, Mayor Patterson has the educational background, proven leadership experience and a sincere commitment to serve his hometown. As he stated, “My personal definition of success is becoming the Mayor of and serving the citizens of my hometown, McComb Mississippi”.
