Gene Fitts comes to the Department of Marketing and Public Relations from the Southern Miss Alumni Association, where he was manager of marketing. He previously worked as an account executive with Lamar Advertising, as the advertising director for The Times newspaper, and as an account executive for the Hattiesburg American.

Fitts just ended six years as chairman of the Forrest County Republican Executive Committee.

He has also has been a member of The Leaders of the New Century, and a volunteer for United Way and for the Area Development Partnership.

Fitts graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1990 from The University of Southern Mississippi. He was a member of the varsity football team from 1985-1986, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a member of Southern Miss College Republicans, where he served a year's term as state executive director. Fitts was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

Fitts is married to Wynde Fitts, also a Southern Miss graduate, who is the director of Greek Life. The couple attends Parkway Heights Methodist Church.

Fitts may be reached by e-mail at gene.fitts@usm.edu.