Scott Simmons serves as the Director of External Affairs and Chief Communications Officer for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, joining the agency in April 2025. In this role, he leads MEMA’s external communications strategy, public information efforts, media relations, and crisis communications operations.
A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Simmons brings more than 30 years of experience in broadcast journalism and strategic communications. Throughout his career, he has covered and communicated through some of the Gulf South’s most significant emergency events, including hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, flooding, droughts, the Jackson water crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. His extensive experience in high-pressure, rapidly evolving situations provides a strong foundation for leading public messaging and emergency communications during disasters.
Simmons has worked in television markets across Columbus, Mississippi; Lafayette and New Orleans, Louisiana; and Jackson, Mississippi, building a reputation for trusted storytelling, clear communication, and community engagement. His work has earned numerous industry honors, including two Edward R. Murrow awards, four Emmy Awards, Louisiana Associated Press Reporter of the Year, Mississippi Associated Press Newsperson of the Year, Mississippi Associated Press Best Investigative reporting and Mississippi Associated Press News Anchor of the Year.
At MEMA, Simmons oversees the agency’s communications team and works to ensure Mississippians receive timely, accurate, and actionable information before, during, and after emergencies. He lives in Brandon, Mississippi, with his wife, BJ.
