Board of Directors
Keeping Our Organization Running
Dorothy Smith Tinser, long time Board Member and supporter, delivers a message to Mental Health Association’s Board Members, both past and present. Her mother, Opal Smith helped form this organization. Both wanted to help people who are struggling to find a place where they feel safe and respected. We thrive to fulfill their wishes. History and Value to MHA Board Members
Kimberly Nastasi, Certified Association Professional and Institute of Organization Management graduate, presents information on Board Goverance. She has given permisison for this to be shared with other Boards. Board Governance
Board Executive Committee
Sheila Farr
President, Gulf Coast Training & Education Services, LLC
Sheila Farr is an eternal optimist and the owner of Gulf Coast Training & Education Services, LLC, where she helps small businesses and entrepreneurs develop business plans and strategies that work. Sheila is a best-selling author, an educator, and a business strategist. A graduate of both the University of Georgia and Liberty University, she has a master’s degrees in education and health & wellness counseling. In 2020, she founded Biloxi Reads!; an initiative designed to get books into the hands of underserved populations. She is a dedicated member of Gulf Coast Human Resource Association.
Liz Hoop
Immediate Past President, Hoop Cares, LLC.
Liz Hoop, International Best selling author, is a tenured hospice community liaison where she spends her days educating communities , doctors and facilities on the benefits of hospice care. She calls this job her calling and finds it very fulfilling. She attends The Springs church where she is a member of the choir, co-leads a single women’s life group and is the leader of the women’s ministry team. She serves on the board of directors for the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi, Special Needs Organization of South MS , Anchored Hearts Community Resources, Adopt A Grandparent Day and Teen Challenge for Women in MS. She selflessly gives of her time in volunteer efforts that help others. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Michael Mong
Vice President, The University of Southern Mississippi
Dr. Michael Mong is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi and a board certified, licensed behavior analyst and licensed school psychologist who specializes in behavioral therapy as well as academic and behavioral assessments. He enjoys working with a wide variety of clients and also works within schools offering therapy, psychoeducational assessments, staff training, and educator resources. Dr. Mong is a graduate of both Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University and has previously served as a trainer for the Mississippi Department of Education, an Associate Dean of the College of Education & Psychology at USM, and as the Director of the USM Autism Project. In his free time, Dr. Mong enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, fishing, and watching LSU and Saints football games.
Cliff Hermes
Secretary, Oceans Behavioral Hospital
Cliff has over 20 years of experience in the field of Healthcare that has included work in Radiology, Intensive Care, Emergency Care and Behavioral Healthcare. As an RN, Cliff cared for critically ill and emergent patients and became the Director of Emergency Services at Biloxi Regional Medical center in 2008. During his time as the Director, he obtained advanced degrees in Public Health and Business Administration. In 2013, Cliff made the move to Behavioral Healthcare. He became the Administrator of Psychiatric Services in January of 2013 for Gulf Oaks Hospital and remained the Administrator of the facility when it transitioned to Oceans of Biloxi in 2019. Cliff’s has worked with the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi since 2014 to promote their mission of championing positive mental health and wellness.
Christy Ireland
Treasurer, The Peoples Bank
Christy has been in the banking industry over 20 years, with the majority of her career devoted to The Peoples Bank. Her love of banking originally began in Hattiesburg while attending the University of Southern Mississippi. While at USM, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Banking/Finance. She is also a graduate of Ole Miss School of Banking and Leadership Gulf Coast. She is currently a Senior VP and Chief Risk Officer at The Peoples Bank. Christy was born and raised here on the MS Gulf Coast. She attended St. Martin, which is where her children have also attended. She is happily married with three children. She enjoys kickboxing, pottery, and spending time with family and friends. She is also a member of Mosaic Church. She recognizes the importance of mental health and wellness and looks forward to being a part of this organization.
Cecelia Shabazz
Executive Member, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport
Cece Shabazz is an award-winning Creative Director with over 20 years in the advertising industry. Passionate about the Advertising community and an Industry advocate, she’s the recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medalist Award for her contributions to the industry on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Cece knows that the right marketing strategy for her clients can be an economic game changer. Her superpower lies in her ability to effectively identify a client’s pain points and provide custom creative solutions that will actually drive their results. Recognizing that businesses thrive through the power of impactful branding, she works to enhance their marketing, equity, loyalty, customer satisfaction, and potential. Cece has helped lead talented creative teams to numerous ADDY awards with consecutive “Art Director of the Year” and “Creative Director of the Year” recognitions. Cece is also a public speaker well known for her energetic presentations and industry insight.
Bridget Beck
Co-Secretary, Berkshire Hathaway Realty
Bridget, originally from Texas, studied Communications at the University of Southern Alabama. She has been married for 18 years and has 2 children. With her husband they successfully buy property, renovate, rent and sell property along the Gulf Coast. She is a full time licensed professional realtor with 15 years’ experience. Bridget has been part of the PTO at Biloxi Schools since 2019. She is a member of Port Side Fitness and part of the Mardi’s Gras group Cavaliers. Bridget selflessly gives her time to volunteer in many community events and participates in fundraisers that help aid and assist in the community.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides overall leadership and is responsible for defining MHASM’s mission and strategic direction. They set policy and actively ensure that the organization has adequate resources to carry out its mission. MHASM’s Board of Directors is passionate about helping people with steps of prevention, support and treatment of mental health challenges. They know that people should not feel ashamed or fearful of mental illness as it is a medical illness just like heart disease or cancer.
Amy Bateson
Trustmark National Bank
Amy is a graduate of Mississippi State University. She has 30 years of banking experience, with 23 years of dedicated work at Trustmark National Bank where she is a Vice President on the gulf coast. Amy has been a volunteer with Mental Health Association of South MS for several years. She is active in the community serving as Past Board President of United Way of South MS, Board Member of Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Member Gulfport Rotary Club and on the Finance Committee with First United Methodist of Gulfport. Amy has participated in triathlons, marathons and more. She is married and has a growing family with the recent birth of a grandchild.
Dean Doty
Gulfport Behavioral Health System
Dean has worked in the mental health and substance use disorder fields for almost 30 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Belhaven University and his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has worked as a counselor, therapist, clinical director, primary care director, interventionist, and administrator prior to becoming CEO of Gulfport Behavioral Health System. He is a lifelong MS resident who has called the MS gulf coast home for the past 20 years.
Darvis Gill
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
Darvis Gill is the father of 6 amazing daughters, husband to his wife of 8 years Sheena Robinson-Gill and grandfather of a 3-year-old baby girl. He enjoys spending time with his family and watching college football. His passion is people which landed him into the hospitality field. Darvis is currently the Director of Hotel Operations for Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort located in D’Iberville. He has worked for over 18 years as a leader in the hospitality industry. Key experiences – facilitating processes and procedures in service-oriented cultures, Kaizen (Continuous Improvement), financial management/cost controls and team building.
Jocelyn Gavin-Lane
Premier Professional Counseling Services
Jocelyn has worked as a licensed social worker for more than 20 years. She is the owner and Clinical Director of Premier Professional Counseling Services, LLC. Jocelyn has a Master of Social Work from Jackson State University and a Master’s in Public Health- Healthcare Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is the CEO & founder of The Pink Lotus Project a national nonprofit focused on empowering women and mentoring girls. Jocelyn has received several awards, is an author and graduate of leadership programs. She previously served as a board member of several community organizations.
Cynthia Helwig
Cynthia Helwig DNP, PMHNP, GNP
Cynthia Helwig DNP, PMHNP, GNP is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Psychiatry and Geriatrics. Her background includes 33 years of providing medical and psychiatric health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Helwig received her Bachelor of Nursing from William Carey College. She received her Master of Science in Nursing, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of South Alabama. She has continued her educational endeavors by receiving ongoing training for treatment of multiple conditions and advanced prescriptive provider training.
Ricky Johnson
Motivational Speaker
Ricky Johnson is a Marine Veteran and previously a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist. He is trained in Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Trauma Informed Care, and Critical Time Intervention. Ricky was presented with the 2019 NC Tides “Empowering Hope Award” for his tenacity, strength, and self-determination in overcoming adversity while inspiring hope and empowering others through their own personal and life journey. In the year of 2020, Ricky was appointed by the North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore to the North Carolina onsumer and Family Advisory Committee. He uses his experience to provide hope to others.
Megan Lockley
Ex-Officio, Mindful Matters
Megan Lockley is a LCSW, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Masters in Social Work in 2010. She has worked at Merit Health Gulf Oaks (now Oceans Behavioral Health), Gulf Coast Mental Health Center and Gulf Coast Family Counseling. Currently, she is with Mindful Matters. She enjoys volunteering with organizations like the South Mississippi AIDS Task Force, Special Olympics, and the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi.
Tillie McCoy
Singing River Health System
Tillie has lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast her entire life. She graduated from Vancleave High School and achieved her Associates Degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. She has been a Certified Professional Coder since 2011 and an active member of the American Academy of Professional Coders. Tillie has worked in the healthcare field since 2000. Most of her career has been with Singing River Health System, where she is currently the Practice Administrator for Behavioral Health Services. Tillie has been married for over 20 years and has three children. She enjoys helping out in the community and meeting new people.
Zachary Moulds
MS Gulf Cost Community College
Dr. Moulds is the Associate Vice President for Student Services & Enrollment Strategies at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He holds a M.A. in History from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Mississippi State University. His leadership experience includes participation in the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy, Leadership Natchez, and Leadership Gulf Coast. In April 2025, Dr. Moulds was presented with the Distinguished College Administrator Award by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. He and his wife, Lucy, are the proud parents of a three-year-old son, Baylor, and are excited to welcome another baby boy in Fall 2025.
Monica Thomas-Hurst
Canopy Children's Solutions
Monica is the Director of Culture and Engagement. With over 30 years of experience in the mental health field, she has served as a mental health therapist and program supervisor, providing and overseeing direct care services. She holds a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Counseling from William Carey University, a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy State University and is a Certified Mental Health Counselor. She serves on the Steering Committee for Girls on the Run and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has been married for 34 years and has two children.