Ms. Christy Pickering was appointed to the Board by Governor Haley Barbour in May 2008 to represent the Second (Southern) Supreme Court District for a term to expire May 7, 2018.
Ms. Pickering has been the owner of Christy Pickering, CPA since 1991. She has worked in the fields of auditing and assurance, tax preparation, and litigation support. Her work as an expert witness led her to be named as a Special Master in a case in 2014. Prior to joining the Hancock Holding Company Board of Directors, she served as a Hancock Bank Board Director from 1995-2000. She is currently the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Pickering chaired the Audit Committee for Hancock Holding Company from 2004-2012.
Ms. Pickering has substantial financial and accounting expertise due to her experience as a licensed Certified Public Accountant for the past 29 years. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is an associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Ms. Pickering has served as a director of Mississippi Power Company, Gulfport, since 2007. She served as the Chair of the Controls and Compliance Committee for Mississippi Power Company from 2009-2013.
Ms. Pickering has received numerous awards for her service to the community. In 1996 she was awarded the Small Business Accountant Advocate for the State of Mississippi. In 1998, she received the Harrison County, Mississippi, Small Business Excellence Award. In 1991, Ms. Pickering was recognized as Rotarian of the Year by the Biloxi Rotary Club where in previous years she had held the offices of President, Secretary and Treasurer. She was a member of the Inaugural class of Leadership Gulf Coast in 1991. Ms. Pickering was recognized in 2009 as an Outstanding Community Leader of South Mississippi by the Sun Herald and the Mississippi Business Journal.
Ms. Pickering holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and has worked in the field of accounting since 1983.
