TUPELO, MISS. — Officials gathered on Thursday, Nov. 9 to officially dedicate a bridge on State Route 25 in Winston County as the “Stacey Dale Ricks Memorial Bridge”.
The ceremony featured guest speakers including Stephen C. McCraney, Executive Director, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, along with other community and family members of Stacey Dale Ricks. It was held at Bethlehem Church on State Route 25.
“Stacey’s work in Floodplain Management was recognized nationally,” said MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney. “He was the go-to for all things floodplain and flood mapping, and his expertise is greatly missed. While he did tremendous work for the state and across the nation, Stacey was also the type of person you just liked to be around, a friend to all who met him. He’s a dear friend and colleague, and the MEMA family is not the same without him. We are extremely proud to see him honored with this memorial bridge. As an avid Mississippi State fan, its location on Highway 25 couldn’t be more perfect. Thank you to all those who made it possible.”
Stacey Dale Ricks was born in Neshoba County MS. He was a 1993 graduate of Noxapater Attendance Center. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science- College of Arts & Sciences degree from Mississippi State University in 1999. His career with the State of Mississippi spanned 22 years.
Stacey joined the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency in 2006 as a Floodplain Management Specialist. Later that year Stacey passed the Certified Floodplain Manager’s exam and became a Certified Floodplain Manager. Stacey was promoted to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Coordinator for the State of Mississippi in 2011. During his tenure at MEMA, Stacey accomplished many things. In 2020, he received the Best State NFIP Compliance Office Award. He served on the Advisory Board for the Association of Floodplain Managers of Mississippi, Association of State Floodplain Managers Co-Chair of the Floodplain Management Regulations Committee, Secretary of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, and was elected Chairman of the Association by his peers. He trained local officials, state staff, Congressional staff, State NFIP Coordinators, and others regarding the importance of the National Flood Insurance Program. He was a champion for being resilient and safe. Before coming to MEMA, Stacey worked with the Mississippi Department of Health. Stacey graduated from Mississippi State University and was an avid Bulldog fan.
Per Senate Bill No. 2602 of the 2023 Regular Session, the bridge located on Mississippi Highway 25 at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 19 located within the boundaries of Winston County, Mississippi, shall be known as the “Stacey Dale Ricks Memorial Bridge”.