Michael A. Gater, PHR, SHRM-CP is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He is a proud 1984 honors graduate of Jackson State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
In July 2019, Gater was named the Director of Human Resources for the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA), which is the governing entity for the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) and Hawkins Field (General Aviation) Airport (HKS). He is responsible for managing and integrating broad, comprehensive human resource management programs and safety for the Authority at JAN and HKS.
For over twenty-one years, Gater dedicated his career to enhancing the management of resources related to employees. Prior to joining the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, he served as the Regional Site Human Resources Manager at Faurecia Automotive Seating for its Madison and Cleveland, Mississippi plants. His experience spans several industries (Auto Manufacturing, Cable and Entertainment, Waste Services and Retailing), where he has held corporate, division, and regional/field HR leadership roles.
Committed to giving back to the HR industry and to his community, Gater is a life-long member and Past President of the Rho Xi Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He is the former Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Director of National Programs for the District of Mississippi and serves on the Mississippi Alpha Network Executive Board as the Area Director for Jackson, Brookhaven, and Canton. Gater also serves on the March of Dimes Central Mississippi Board of Directors.
Gater has held previous board positions with Anderson United Methodist Church, Capital Area HR Association, and United Way of the Capital Area, Jackson Council PTA, Mississippi PTA and Mississippi Children’s Home Services (Canopy Children’s Solutions).
He resides in Jackson, Mississippi, with his wife Ada.