City Spotlight: Howard Young of Canton Municipal Utilities

By Inesha Jackson

Howard Young is utilizing his ability as general manager at Canton Municipal Utilities (CMU) to improve the infrastructure of the utility system and to promote economic and community development for the City of Canton and surrounding areas. 

“We need to start working together and move forward for a common goal. That common goal is to make life better for each other and the community that we serve,” Young said.

Howard Young, a native of West Point, Mississippi, was born to the late Mr. Lem and Helen Young, who played influential roles in his life. Young received his bachelor of science in information technology (IT) from Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) and his master’s of science in technology education from Jackson State University. He is a member of the Rho Gamma Lambda Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He is also a member of the Madison County Business League and Foundation’s Education & Workforce Development Committee, the commissioner on the Municipal Energy Agency of Mississippi board (MEAM) and the Municipal Gas Authority of Mississippi board (MGAM). In his personal life, he is a husband and a father to three boys. At his church, Greater Pearlie Grove Missionary Baptist Church, he is an active member of the youth ministry, security ministry and IT ministry.

During his leisure time, Young enjoys worshiping and serving at church, spending time with family and reading. 

Before taking on the role as general manager for CMU, he has worked in the utility business for over twenty years. Young started out as a summer help student for two summers at Greenwood Utilities while attending college at MVSU. Once he graduated, he was hired full time as an engineer’s assistant. During that time, Young was offered a job at Daffron and Associates, Inc. to create software for utility companies. Afterwards, he moved back to Mississippi and was hired as the IT/Geographic Information System (GIS) technician at CMU and worked his way up to becoming the general manager. 

Several of his responsibilities as general manager include developing strategies with the management team to provide excellent service to the citizens of Canton and providing updates on day-to-day operations and projects to the CMU board during regularly-scheduled meetings. He also collaborates with all departments to ensure compliance, develop budgets, develop goals and milestones to ensure the timely completion of projects, and make sure that CMU stays viable in the years to come. 

“CMU’s greatest achievement is on-going and is a team effort which requires all of us to continue improving our infrastructure and providing great service to our customers,” Young said. 
Having a successful background in the field of IT and being knowledgeable in various positions in the utility business has helped Young to become successful and stand out amongst his colleagues. 

“I evaluate my success by helping others around me grow and helping them become successful people. . . I am passionate about improving the quality of life for the citizens of Canton and the surrounding areas by providing reliable and quality service. On a personal note, I am passionate about teaching children new things, especially those who need extra help. It is that look in their eyes when they finally grasp the concept of what I am teaching. There is nothing in the world like that feeling,” Young said. 

Young’s favorite Bible verse and quote to live by is Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” and his motto is “Just do the right thing!”