Staff

Davis Pace serves as President and CEO of Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET), a state-chartered non-profit organization located at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. At MSET, Davis works to grow SSC, the Gulf Coast, and Mississippi. Davis is a leader in the development of the aerospace and defense community through MSET’s relationships with NASA, the Navy, the Mississippi Development Authority, and Mississippi’s R-1 universities.

Prior to MSET, Davis spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., on and off Capitol Hill, with a focus on technology, telecommunications, and cybersecurity issues. While on Capitol Hill, he served as senior staff for the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) under Ranking Member Michael McCaul (TX), where he managed the emerging technologies, telecommunications, space, and cyber portfolio. In this role, he successfully led the effort to incentivize leading-edge technology development and manufacturing in the United States and led the charge to reorganize the U.S. State Department’s standards setting, cyber security, and emerging technology initiatives.

Previously, he served as Legislative Director to former-Rep. John Ratcliffe (TX) preceding his cabinet-level appointment as Director of National Intelligence. In this role, Davis spearheaded critical reforms in cyber defense at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and information systems. Davis also served as Legislative Director to Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX), and Counsel to then-Republican Study Committee Chairman Mark Walker (NC).

Davis holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and a juris doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law. He is an avid fan of the Washington Nationals and the Grateful Dead.

Laurie serves as Program Director at MSET. In this role, she assists companies in finding business opportunities consistent with company capabilities. She serves as liaison with local federal agencies, assessing commercially-developed technologies for federal use and vice versa. Working with federal agencies at Stennis, Laurie serves as a trusted partner, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of federal program needs and seeking out solutions from technology companies. She is responsible for several MSET and contracted reports on workforce development, assessments of Mississippi’s STEM jobs, and the economic impact of the Blue Economy on the state.

Prior to joining MSET in 2010, Laurie worked for 25 years in a small technology business serving in a variety of technical and business roles. She is a retired Oceanographer and holds Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Oceanography from Old Dominion University. She currently serves on the Board of the INFINITY Science Center and co-hosts a WRJW radio spot highlighting business activities along the Gulf Coast.

JoBeth serves as Director of Operations and Facilities Manager at MSET. In this role, she manages the MSET office and oversees operations within its properties. JoBeth has over 20 years of leadership experience in non-profits and economic development organizations and serves as the liaison between MSET and its resident companies.

JoBeth is a published writer, an artist, and a musician with the Northshore Community Orchestra. She is a passionate supporter and board member of Children’s Wish Endowment that grants wishes for children with life threatening illnesses.

Sara Doss spent 12 years at the Mississippi Development Authority, the state’s lead economic development agency focusing on global business investment and existing industry support for the state of Mississippi. In her most recent role at MDA, Sara served as the primary business development representative in Mississippi for aerospace and defense, one of the state’s most essential target markets. She was responsible for recruiting new aerospace companies to Mississippi and providing support and expansion assistance to the state’s existing aerospace industries.

Previously, Sara was in the Community Services Division where she was responsible for various federal and state funding programs administered by the agency.

Sara is a 2009 graduate of Mississippi State University where she received a degree in Management of Construction and Land Development in the College of Business. Sara has also received her Economic Development Finance Professional Certification (EDFP) from the National Development Council and serves on the Board of Directors for both Mississippi Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council.

Kristina joins our team as an Office and Executive Assistant. She is a recent graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where she majored in Information Technology. Kristina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience providing customer service. Before joining MSET, she maintained an active client base and quickly became highly recommended and respected for her work ethic and service.

In her spare time, Kristina enjoys spending time with her husband and baby girl, two Italian mastiffs, and two cats. She also enjoys spending time with her family and competing in family game night competitions.