William "Bill" Feidt
A University of Mississippi chemical engineering alumnus has been named the chief financial officer for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
William “Bill” Feidt assumed the duties following his hire on Oct. 1. The Pascagoula native is responsible for all financial and accounting activities for the agency.
“My staff handles everything involving accounting, purchasing, payrolls, budgeting, financial reporting and paying bills,” Feidt said. “I also have oversight responsibility for the agency to ensure that we are in compliance with the requirements of the grants we manage and oversee for the state of Mississippi as well as the federal government.”
A Carrier Scholar and Taylor Medalist, Feidt attended Ole Miss from 1989 to 1993. He was attracted to the School of Engineering because of the theoretical nature and rigor of the curriculum, and to the Department of Chemical Engineering in particular because of his affinity for chemistry.
“Even though I never spent a day as a chemical engineer after graduation, I felt that my education was invaluable,” Feidt said. “More than anything else, I learned how to effectively problem-solve and manage a lot of work at one time. Being able to frame out a problem and find a solution to it has been a tremendous asset to me as my career has grown.”
Chemical engineering professors Peter Sukanek and Ajit Sudana were among Feidt’s favorite instructors.
“Professor Sukanek taught me to approach things from a big picture,” he said. “He taught me to simplify the problem as much as possible up front in order to make it easier to solve. I still use some of the problem-solving skills he taught me to this day. Professor Sadana, also a favorite of mine, always kept his classes interesting even when it could be a very dry subject.”
Feidt, who also earned a master’s degree in business administration from Dartmouth College, previously served as the director of finance and planning for WorldCom Inc. and Skytel Corp. He most recently served as vice president of Strategic and Tactical Support Inc., a professional services firm dedicated to providing financial support to private-sector firms.
“Bill has the kind of experience we need at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources,” said Jamie Miller, the agency’s executive director. “He brings a unique set of skills and proven leadership that will be an asset to this agency and Mississippi moving forward.”
Feidt enjoys travel and has been to 43 states and about a dozen different countries. He also loves boating and being outdoors.
“My current role is very rewarding since I get to reap the benefits of the work MDMR is doing to protect and enhance Mississippi’s marine environment,” Feidt said. “I enjoy coaching soccer, but my work keeps me busy enough right now that I will have to put my coaching career on hold for a bit.”
Feidt’s younger brother, Jon, graduated from Ole Miss in 1997. Their mother, Gail, did not attend UM, but she counts herself as a proud Rebel because both sons are alumni.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. For more information, visit the DMR online at http://www.dmr.ms.gov.