Mercedes Carranza Appointed to Memorial Health System Board of Trustees

Gulfport, Mississippi — August 21, 2024 — Mercedes Carranza was appointed by the City of Gulfport to serve on the Memorial Health System Board of Trustees effective August 1, 2024, replacing former board member Gary Fredericks, whose term expired.

Mr. Carranza is a resident of Gulfport and a native of Michoacán, Mexico. He is a real estate owner and manager at Properties, Inc., where he focuses on property inspection, manpower coordination, and new tenant applications. His career began in the hospitality industry, and from 2013-2022, he was the owner, operator, and executive chef at El Agave Mexican Restaurant.

Mr. Carranza has served in many community involvement positions, including as a board member for the Gulfport Police Athletic League, as a member of the Harrison County Schools Junior Leadership Advisory Board, as a former member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Diversity Committee, and he also served as a translator in Hurricane Katrina Restoration efforts between out-of-state Hispanic resources and local community businesses, contractors, and leaders.

Memorial is a not-for-profit medical complex jointly owned by the City of Gulfport and Harrison County. The Board of Trustees is comprised of seven (7) Trustees, three (3) of which are named by the City of Gulfport; three (3) by the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Mississippi; and one (1) named jointly by Harrison County and the City of Gulfport.