ABOUT DARREN MUSSELWHITE…

Darren Musselwhite is currently serving in his fourth term as Mayor of Southaven since originally being elected and sworn-in on June 28, 2013.  Mayor Musselwhite has led the third-largest city in the state of Mississippi and one of the fastest growing in both the state and region with a consistent mission statement:  continue making Southaven an even better place to be (live, work, and visit) by leading with the priorities of public safety; aggressive infrastructure improvement; beautification; parks and recreational enhancement; economic development and redevelopment; operational enhancement and efficiency; and financial strength.  He understands the significance of Southaven’s influence both statewide and regionally as he advocates for all cities and the welfare of the region while currently serving on the Mississippi Municipal League Board of Directors and as Vice-Chairman of the Board with the Mid-South Development District.  He was named the Southaven Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year” in 2017 and Desoto Times-Tribune’s “Desoto’s Best Mayor” in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025.

Darren Musselwhite is a career insurance agent having started his first business in Southaven in 1992 representing Shelter Insurance.  His career with Shelter spanned 25 years highlighted by his inclusion in the company’s Conference of Champions Hall of Fame for consistent sales achievement and his designation as a Partner-in-Profit agent for consistent excellence in underwriting.  In 2018, he became a founding partner of Musselwhite & Michel Insurance. 

Before insurance and politics, Darren spent three seasons playing professional baseball for minor-league affiliates of the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants after being drafted in the 1989 MLB Draft following his junior season at Ole Miss.  During his career at Ole Miss, he was named the Rebels’ “Most Valuable Pitcher” in 1988 after posting a 10-win season and joining only 5 other SEC pitchers that season to be named “SEC Pitcher of the Week”.  He was named “Freshman of the Year” for Ole Miss in 1987 and the Connie Mack Baseball “Player of the Year” for the state of Mississippi in 1985.  While pitching for the Rebels, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Managerial Finance and graduated in 1989.

Darren is a Southaven native and remains proud of his Southaven Chargers where he was a three-sport athlete and 1985 graduate. 

Darren has been married to the former Laurie Honeycutt since 1998 and they have three sons, Reid (Ayla), Ryan and Drew and two granddaughters, Jordan and Brooklyn.  When his phone finally stops ringing, he enjoys playing golf and relaxing on his back porch while watching college sports and cooking on the grill.