JACKSON — Jackson Mayor John Horhn has appointed Dr. Marcus A. Chanay as chief of staff for the Office of the Mayor, with Chanay beginning his duties Monday.
Chanay brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in higher education administration, workforce development and organizational management, according to the mayor’s office.
He is president and CEO of The Chanay Group, a strategic development firm focused on workforce development, fundraising, community development and operational improvement. He also serves as president of The College of Health Services and Careers, an allied health institution offering certificate programs in high-demand fields.
Chanay previously held senior leadership positions at three universities. His roles included vice president for student affairs, enrollment management and executive assistant to the president for campus operations at Lincoln University of Missouri; vice president for student services at Jarvis Christian University; and vice president for student life at Jackson State University.
“Marcus has spent three decades building teams and getting results in institutions that serve young people and working families,” Horhn said. “He’s managed large staffs and people pulling in different directions. City Hall is no different, and he’s ready to serve.”
Chanay said his initial focus will be on carrying out the administration’s priorities and improving coordination within municipal government.
“My focus over the next 90 days is making sure the administration’s priorities are clearly communicated and carried out,” Chanay said.
Chanay said his responsibilities will include advancing Horhn’s agenda, coordinating with the chief administrative officer, establishing a system to track mayoral directives and strengthening relationships among municipal leaders.
A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Chanay holds a doctorate in urban higher education and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Jackson State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
He also holds a Certified Fundraising Manager credential from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI and a certificate from the Institute for Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Chanay has co-published three books, including two examining the future of historically Black colleges and universities.
He serves on several boards, including the Mississippi Alliance for Cardiovascular Health, the National Sigma Beta Club Foundation, Vine Place Community Outreach and the UAPB National Alumni Association.
Chanay and his wife, Makeba White Chanay, have seven children and 10 grandchildren.
