Making his community a better place has been Frank Corder's passion and vision for as long as he can remember. Frank has called Pascagoula home since the day he was born. Yes, he left for a little while, going just up the road to Hattiesburg for college, but he got back to his hometown as fast as possible.

Pascagoula means a great deal to Frank's family. His father (over 20 years) and both of his grandfathers (over 35 years each) have worked at the shipyard, providing well for their family. Frank's mother worked for 23 years as a bookkeeper here in Pascagoula. His grandmother was a cafeteria worker with the school system. His aunts, uncles, and cousins are all working right here in Pascagoula and Jackson County, helping to build up our community. Jobs, security, roots - that's what Pascagoula means to Frank's family.

After working his way up at Hancock Bank, starting as a teller, Frank left the bank as a branch manager / officer to join the LaFont Inn to help promote and manage the Pascagoula landmark.  Having served as the General Manager, Frank oversaw the full line of business operations.  Frank is currently working with WPMP 1580AM radio as a host, co-host, and marketing manager as well as pursuing new entrepreneurial opportunities in consulting, writing, and local media.

Frank is very active in his community, working in service clubs and serving on many city boards. Having served as the Kiwanis Club past president and board member, Frank is also a member of the Rotary Club and has served as the district chairman of the Pine-Burr Area Council Bay Rivers Boy Scouts of America. He coached T-Ball for 5 years and has served on the Dixie Youth Board of Directors as T-Ball Representative. In 2007, Frank successfully lobbied for Pascagoula to host the Dixie Youth World Series in 2008 and was the co-chairman of the group that planned the series. 

Frank is also a regular guest on local radio and television shows.  In the fall of 2008, Frank began hosting a local television show ("On the Edge with Frank Corder") that focuses on educating and enlightening the general public about issues that affect them locally, statewide, and nationally through a debate and discussion format.  With the success of the television show, Frank was asked to expand "On the Edge" to radio in the spring of 2009 and now hosts the weekly live radio show as well. 

Frank has also garnered much attention from his blog postings on his website at www.frankcorder.com where he delves into local, state, and national political and social issues from his prospective.  Recently, his blogs have been featured on the JT and Dave Show and the Paul Gallo Show, on Supertalk Mississippi, a statewide Mississippi radio group. Frank's writings can also be found on Mississippi political websites Majority in Mississippi (http://www.majorityinms.com/) and Yall Politics (http://www.yallpolitics.com/).

As chairman of the Pascagoula Economic Development Advisory Council, Frank worked tirelessly in the aftermath of Katrina to ensure Pascagoula recovered and rebuilt productively. In leading these efforts, Frank was asked to chair the Pascagoula Renaissance Commission which worked with the Governor's Commission for Recovery, Rebuilding, and Renewal. He has served on the Pascagoula Strategic Plan Steering Committee, as well as the Pascagoula Main Street and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  Frank has also been a member of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation Board of Directors as the mayor's proxy.

Having co-developed and organized many of the current annual events, Frank has worked to promote Pascagoula by providing family-friendly entertainment and activities, such as the Cruisin' Goula Concerts featuring national headline acts Charlie Daniels and Blake Shelton, the Downtown Fall Festival, the Main Street Awards Gala, Downtown for the Holidays, the Back to School Beach Bash, and many others.  Recently, Frank launched the "Think Pascagoula First" campaign which encourages the public to think before they buy, to make their money count by shopping, dining, and investing in Pascagoula's local economy.  He chaired the annual Think Pascagoula First Business Expo to highlight Pascagoula businesses, as well.  Frank also helped name the new Coast Hockey team located in Biloxi, MS - the Mississippi Surge.  He was selected by team management to help announce and unveil the new name and logo at a recent press conference.  Frank is now co-chairing the 2010 Sounds by the Sea Gulf Coast Symphony concert that is held annually in Pascagoula on Memorial Day weekend.

Believing that leadership matters, Frank is actively involved in the local and state political system. He has advised and managed various candidates seeking to pursue public office, including those seeking city councilman, county supervisor, state representative, state senate, and secretary of state.  Frank won his first term to public office in a special election held in February 2008 with 54.4% of the vote, topping two other candidates for Pascagoula Ward 4 City Councilman.  Soon after, he was named to the elections committee of the Mississippi Municipal League as well.  In May 2009, Frank won re-election, running unopposed to retain his Councilman seat.  He is a proud conservative member of the Republican party.  The National League of Cities named Frank to the 2010 City Futures Panel on Democratic Governance.

Frank is also a licensed and ordained minister, having served as an associate pastor, minister of music, and youth minister. He chaired the Jackson County National Day of Prayer for 4 years and led the Katrina one-year anniversary worship service held at the Pascagoula High School stadium.

Frank has been recognized for his efforts by the Mississippi Economic Council by being awarded the Mississippi Volunteer of the Year in 2006, as well as the Pascagoula Community Award that same year.  Frank was named to the South Mississippi Business Leaders Top 10 under 40 2007 class sponsored by the Sun Herald and the Journal of South Mississippi Business.  In addition, the Mississippi State Main Street Association awarded Frank with the Special Service Award for a Public Official in May 2008.  In 2010, Frank was named to the Mississippi Business Journal's Top 40 under 40 for the state of Mississippi.