Checky Herrington

Brand Manager
Phone: 662-325-8170
cherrington@opa.msstate.edu

As a senior member of the public affairs team at Mississippi State University, Checky Herrington is spearheading the institution's branding strategy to inspire better brand storytelling throughout the university. Already capturing national attention, the initiative is generating improvements in enrollment, reputation and social media performance.

Prior to returning to his alma mater in his current role in 2014, he served nearly 30 years as a communications leader for Entergy Corporation, where he directed the company's first brand strategy and led the team responsible for improving the company's customer satisfaction ratings to among the highest in the nation.

Before joining Entergy, Herrington served in the administration of Governor William Winter where he directed the media relations effort that contributed to the successful passage of Mississippi's 1982 Education Reform Act. He has also worked as a reporter with The Clarion-Ledger.

A member of the Public Relations Society of America, Herrington is accredited and a 2015 inductee to PRSA's prestigious College of Fellows. His public relations work has yielded more than 100 awards, including PRSA's coveted Silver Anvil Award for his role as a team member during Hurricane Katrina.

Recently inducted into the Southern Public Relations Federation's Hall of Fame, Herrington serves on the boards of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi and the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.

He holds a bachelor's degree in communication with an emphasis in marketing and public relations from Mississippi State University.

Herrington and his wife, Chellie, are the parents of two grown children and have two grandchildren. They are members of Crosspoint Church in Starkville.