About Billy Hewes

Carrying forward a tradition of public service that runs deep in the Hewes family, Billy is building on the fact that Gulfport continues to emerge as a leading city in the Gulf South through embracing development opportunities and creating a unique quality-of-place through collaboration and example-driven leadership.

Emphasizing customer service and community engagement, Hewes, as Mayor, has implemented a more efficient application and licensure process for businesses, modernized outreach and billing functions, and reorganized city departments to create greater transparency and responsiveness to the public. Under his leadership, Gulfport is enjoying unprecedented economic growth, and through promotion of the grass roots “One Coast” initiative, Mississippi’s coastal communities are engaging in regional cooperation, developing relationships across political and community lines.

With grown children and countless in-laws, Billy and Paula have welcomed their first grandson into the mix! The family business, Billy Hewes Insurance and Real Estate, continues to operate after 40 years of service, and in his “spare time” Billy still manages to cut loose with his band, Cut Bait, playing the occasional music festival or fundraising event.

Political

  • Mayor of Gulfport, Mississippi (2013- Present)
  • President, Mississippi Municipal League (2019-2021)
  • U.S. Dept. of Commerce, First Network Responder Authority Board Member (2019-Present)
  • U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park System Board Member
    (2019-Present)
  • Mississippi Senator- District 49 (1992-2012)
  • Mississippi Senate President Pro-Tempore (2008-2012)
  • National Chairman, American Legislative Exchange Council (2004)
  • Member of the Mississippi Republican Party
  • Community Leaders of America, Steering Committee

Professional

  • Insurance Agent and Real Estate Broker
  • Billy Hewes Insurance Agency, LLC
  • Billy Hewes Real Estate
  • Nationwide Insurance Company, District Community Service Award
  • Gulf Coast Board of Realtors
  • Gulf Coast Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
  • Chandeleur Sound Productions, LLC (music) / Cut Bait (band)

Civic

  • Leadership Mississippi
  • Leadership Gulf Coast
  • Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce
  • Gulfport Jaycees, Past President

Academic

  • Harrison Central High School
  • University of Southern Mississippi (BSBA)

Personal

  • Married to the former Paula Morton of Gulfport
  • Member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church