July 7, 2025 – Monday’s DeSoto County Board of Supervisors meeting began with a resignation announcement from a member of the county’s Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Board of Directors.
Michael Hatcher of Olive Branch, representing Supervisor District 1, told the Board he was resigning from the CVB commission, effective immediately.
Hatcher was the board’s longest-serving member, having been initially appointed in August of 2013 and whose current term was to end in late May of 2026. He was the commission’s chairman from October 2019 to October 2024.
With Hatcher’s resignation, at-large representative Tony Jones, who was named to the board in 2018, becomes the longest-serving member. The other five members were all placed on the body between May and October of last year, including board president Amelia Lovorn.
The commission is made up of seven members. Five are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and two are picked by the DeSoto County Economic Development Council. All board members serve terms of four years.
As Hatcher represented District 1, Supervisor Jessie Medlin will be tasked with making a recommendation for a replacement to his fellow supervisors, which will then vote to approve the recommendation.
Michael Hatcher
In making the announcement to the supervisors, Hatcher noted his public service on the county’s Board of Adjustment from 2007-2014, with five of those years as its chairman. He was also on the Greenways Committee, also serving as chairman during that tenure.
“I have valued the opportunity to serve and have always carried out my responsibilities and steadfast commitment to the citizens of District 1 and DeSoto County,” Hatcher told supervisors, “But, the past seven months have been marked by persistent challenges, undue pressure and an unhealthy working environment.”
The reference was apparently connected with recent months where the CVB board and the county were issued federal lawsuits by former Landers Center Executive Director Todd Mastry and former Chief Financial Officer Jason Morgan. Mastry and Morgan each claimed in separate lawsuits that their dismissals were racially motivated for booking of African-American artists to the Landers Center. Mastry’s suit was filed in January, Morgan followed with his own suit last month.
“The strain endured during this time has made it increasingly difficult to fulfill my role effectively,” said Hatcher. “I’ve made the difficult but necessary decision to resign in order to preserve my well being and personal condition.”
