ABOUT JUSTIN MULLINS

Life & Family

Born on April 21, 1982, to Billy Mullins and Connie Kingsley in Monticello, Mississippi, I come from a family with deep roots in public service and business. Several members of my family have served in leadership roles: my great grandfather, Preston “Prep” Davis, was Lawrence County Sheriff; Ervin Reid and Steve Garrett served as County Supervisors; Tony Davis was Superintendent of Education; Chuck Lambert was a Pike County Supervisor; and Craig Davis was a Monticello Alderman.

I am a member of the Monticello Church of Christ, a congregation my grandfather, Robert Kingsley, helped establish when he moved his family to Monticello in the 1970s. I lived in Monticello through 5th grade before moving to Pontotoc, Mississippi, when my father took a job with North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. After graduating from Pontotoc High School in 2000, I returned to Monticello and pursued my education at Southwest Mississippi Community College and Copiah-Lincoln Community College, earning an Associate of Applied Science. I later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from William Carey University.

I am a proud husband to Brittany Mullins and father to our 5-year-old son, Ripken, who will begin attending Monticello Elementary this Fall. Brittany is a Nurse Practitioner and the owner of Total Family Care LLC, a healthcare clinic located in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Career & Business Background

My first job was with Fastenal, where I started in the warehouse and quickly moved into sales, managing large accounts such as Ashley Furniture, Cooper Tire, and Caterpillar. After college, I transitioned into the oil industry with Chevron, working my way into management within five years. Over the past 20 years, I have collaborated with agencies such as the United States Coast Guard and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. I have managed up to 19 oil fields, overseeing 70+ platforms and more than 180 employees.

Through these roles, I gained firsthand experience in economic development, regulatory compliance, and workforce leadership—skills I believe are essential for strengthening Monticello’s economy and job market.

Entrepreneurship runs in the family. My grandmother, Fannie Mullins, was the founder and owner of Fannie’s Flowers for over 30 years. Her brother, Jimmie Davis, owned Jimmie Davis Flooring and Covering, and her sister, Margaret Garrett, was the owner of Henri’s Restaurant. I built on that legacy by founding Mullins Gym in 2004, which has since been recognized across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. In 2017, I launched Peak Performance Nutrition LLC, a nutrition and wellness store.

Mullins Gym has served as more than just a fitness center—it’s become a hub for community engagement and wellness. By continually adapting and growing, I’ve learned how to sustain local businesses and create jobs, lessons I will apply as Mayor.

Community Leadership

The Atwood Music Festival is the longest-running annual music festival in Mississippi, recently celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. I joined the festival committee eight years ago and have served as President for the past five years. The festival faced a major challenge during its 45th anniversary when severe weather interrupted major performances on the second night of the festival, leading to a significant financial setback that threw the continued viability of the festival into contention. I couldn’t stand by and watch something so important to Monticello fail, so the committee rallied together to restructure leadership and find a way forward. That year, a friend and I assumed personal financial liability over the the festival to ensure its continuation because for me, my friend, and the committee, failure was not an option for the people of Monticello. Since then, the event has not only recovered but has continued to grow—even through COVID-19—culminating in a $312,000 production for its 50th anniversary. The Atwood Music Festival remains a cornerstone of Monticello’s culture and will continue to be a key driver of community engagement and economic growth.

In Fall 2024, I also helped launch Buckin’ on the Pearl, an annual rodeo event designed to expand Atwood Water Park’s community offerings and economic impact. Planned and executed within just 45 days, the inaugural event was a major success, marking the first rodeo-style event ever held at Atwood Water Park. With strong momentum behind it, we are already preparing for the 2nd annual Buckin’ on the Pearl in October 2025, positioning it as another key tradition for Monticello.

Leading these events has strengthened my expertise in event planning, financial management, and economic development. Successfully revitalizing and expanding these community festivals required strategic collaboration with sponsors, local businesses, and civic organizations to ensure their long-term success. These efforts reinforce my broader commitment to fostering local business growth, enhancing Monticello’s economy, and creating opportunities for future generations.

Investing in the Future

Providing opportunities for our youth is something I am deeply passionate about. At Mullins Gym, we actively support and encourage young people to pursue healthier lifestyles. As a father, I recognize the challenge of seeing local graduates leave for opportunities elsewhere, only returning home for holidays.

To help create pathways for our youth, I serve as an active member of the Energy Operations board and as a part-time instructor at Southwest Mississippi Community College’s Career Technical Center. Through this program, I work closely with industry leaders to provide internships and employment opportunities for students. Since joining this initiative, I have personally interned four students and hired two into the oil industry.

By bridging the gap between education and real-world experience, I’ve seen how targeted investments in our youth can create long-term success. This is the kind of leadership I want to bring to Monticello—fostering growth, education, and career development for future generations.

My Commitment to You

Monticello has always been home, and I am committed to strengthening our community by fostering growth, education, and career development for future generations. Whether through business, education, or community involvement, my focus has always been on creating opportunities that benefit everyone. By working together, we make Monticello strong again!