BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
President
Derek Necaise
F. Derek Necaise was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District 3 Supervisor, Kodie Koenenn. Derek worked in the oil and gas industry, retiring from Rowan Companies after 40 years of service. Throughout his career, Derek held many positions, including Offshore Installation Manager, Rig Manager, Area Manager, Vice President, and Senior Vice President of Rowan Companies. As Senior Vice President, Derek was responsible for operations in Norway, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
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Derek graduated from Hancock High School in 1977. He attended Pearl River Community College and Columbia University Business School.
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He and his wife, Marsha, have been married for 38 years and have two children and four grandchildren. Derek is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart Dedeaux Catholic Church. He and Marsha own and operate a family business, Neco's Family Market. Derek also owns and operates Necaise Consulting Services.
Vice President
Aline Ward
Aline brings over 35 years of experience in strategic leadership, technology, and supply chain management to Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission.
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Prior to joining the commission, she held various executive positions at Mississippi Power, including Regional Chief Information Officer and Director of Supply Chain Management. In these roles, she oversaw significant initiatives, including post-Katrina restoration efforts and the implementation of advanced technology systems.
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Aline has a proven track record of driving innovation, improving efficiency, and fostering collaboration. She is a recognized leader in her field and has been honored with numerous awards, including the Top 25 Leadership Award from CIO Decisions magazine.
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Aline holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated from the Wharton Executive Finance and Accounting Program.
Treasurer
Robert Martin
Robert has over forty years of experience working for the nation's second largest Class 1 railroad, having worked in Community Relations and Safety. Over the years, Robert served on five state-level boards for a national non-profit dedicated to highway railroad grade crossing safety.
Robert, along with a small group of forward thinkers, helped develop the Grade Crossing Collision Investigation program, which set the standard in training first responders on policy, procedures, and safety in responding to incidents on or near railroads.
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Robert worked closely with local, state, and federal agencies to regulate and enforce mandates by the Federal Railroad Administration throughout the Southeast.
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Robert is a published author, and his works can be found in regional railroad magazines.
Secretary
Ray Wesson
Ray is a native of Ocean Springs and a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. His 30-year career in financial services has allowed him to live and work in nearly every Gulf Coast community across the region.
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Ray currently serves as Market President for BankPlus. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Alabama. Ray has many business interests and a passion for community service and volunteer work. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, Gulf Coast Community Ministries, Home of Grace, MS Gulf Coast YMCA, Hancock Community Development Foundation, and the Southern MS Planning and Development District, among others. He has been a volunteer for the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.
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Ray lives in Waveland with his wife Morgan and enjoys spending family time with his five children and five grandchildren.
Commissioner
Michael Casano
Michael Casano is president of Casano Law Firm, P.A., which opened in 2006 in Diamondhead, and is the closing attorney for commercial and residential real estate transactions. He has co-owned Aloha Wine & Spirits since 2007.
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His legal experience includes working as a trial attorney and as a member of local law firms.
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Casano earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Millsaps College, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He is also a graduate of St. Stanislaus College.
Commissioner
David Holman
David Holman was appointed to the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission in 2020 by the District Four Supervisor, Scotty Adam. David obtained a BBA, a Marketing Degree, and a Master of Community Development from Delta State University. After working in banking and finance for over 15 years, David is the President of Ranchland Tractor & ATV in Saucier, MS.
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David is married to Elizabeth, a Nursing Faculty Member at the University of Southern Mississippi. They have two children; Houston is a Computer Science Student at the University of Texas Dallas and Angele is a student at Our Lady Academy.
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Prior community involvement includes Past President of Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Past Chairman of Hancock County Leadership, Past President of the Bay St Louis Rotary Club, and Past Member of the Dealer Council for Mahindra North America. David currently serves on the editorial board of Rural Lifestyle Dealer Magazine and was chosen as Dealer of the Year in 2018.
Commissioner
Ron Weatherly
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Commissioner
Jeremy Burke
Jeremy Burke is the Zoning Administrator, Historic Preservation Coordinator, and Community Affairs for the City of Bay St. Louis. Prior to this role, he owned the independent bookstore Bay Books and served as an elected official for the City of Waveland.
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Actively engaged in the Bay St. Louis community, he attends St. Rose de Lima Church and is a member of the University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association, the Southern Miss Hardwood Club, the Coast Episcopal School PTO, and the Sons of the American Legion. He also served as past president of the Old Town Bay St. Louis Merchants Association.
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Jeremy earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration and a Master’s Degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a graduate of St. Stanislaus College and the Hancock County Leadership Program.
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He and his wife, Kristen, live in Waveland and have two children.