William A. “Bill” Powe III has accepted the position of Gateway/Lake Sehoy manager for The University of Southern Mississippi’s Division of Recreational Sports.
        A Hattiesburg native, Powe has most recently worked with the Sherwood Arkansas Parks and Recreation Department as a coordinator, where he hired, trained and supervised staff for the department. He has a history of management in small business and franchise settings, and also brings a retail and hospitality background to the position.
    “ We are certain that Bill Powe will be a tremendous asset to the Southern Miss family,” said Mike Giles, associate director of Recreational Sports. “A major responsibility will involve management of the Longleaf Trace Rails to Trails Gateway at Southern Miss.”
        The Longleaf Trace is a 41-mile fitness and recreational trail that runs from Hattiesburg to Prentiss. The Gateway at Southern Miss will serve as a base for information and services relative to facilities, activities and events occurring on and along the trail.  
        In addition to managing the Gateway, Powe will be directly working with Southern Miss faculty, staff and students on programming specific to the trail.
        “I am very excited about this position,” said Powe. “To have the opportunity to promote this unique trail is an exciting professional challenge.”  
        Powe will work in tandem with the Pearl to Leaf River Rails to Trails Recreation District to ensure that the trail is utilized and promoted to the fullest extent.