MICHAEL H. “MIKE” GLADNEY has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 MSCPA Public Service Award which recognizes a Mississippi CPA who has exhibited a distinguished record of personal commitment to community, charitable, civic, and public service activities and enhanced the professional image of CPAs.  He was recognized during the Business Meeting at the Annual Convention at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin on Saturday, June 27. 

  Mike grew up in Jackson and graduated from Forest Hill High School. He went on to the University of Mississippi continuing in various campus leadership positions and choosing to major in accounting. Upon graduating magna cum laude from Ole Miss, Mike joined Ernst & Whinney in its Jackson office in 1985. Later, Mike began work with Hagaman Roper Haddox & Reid in 1989, and in 2022 he assumed the position of managing partner with the firm then widely known as Haddox Reid. In December 2023, he facilitated the merger of the firm with BMSS Advisors and CPAs in Alabama. Mike continues to serve on the Steering Committee and Leadership Team of BMSS and as an assurance partner in their Ridgeland office.

   Mike became active in the MSCPA serving in numerous capacities, including Central Chapter officer, Board of Governors, and long tenures on the Accounting and Auditing and Peer Review Committees. He chaired the Peer Review Committee from 2016 until Mississippi joined with Alabama and Arkansas to form a combined Peer Review administrative body (Partners in Peer Review) in 2019 and continues to serve with this group through the Alabama Society. His roles highlight expertise valued by peers and willingness to contribute beyond basic membership for the betterment of the profession and the protection of the public.

   In addition to his work as a CPA, Mike has been actively involved in Colonial Heights Baptist Church where he has served as a deacon, elder, and LIFE group teacher and on several committees. Mike has a love of missions and has been involved in local, national, and foreign missions through churches and organizations. His local activities include ministries to schools, Shower Power, street ministries, door to door evangelism, and evangelism tents at the State Fair and Dixie National Rodeo. He has made national mission trips to Arkansas, Indiana, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. Most impressively, Mike has made 12 foreign trips including to Haiti, Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Mexico. He also financially supports and promotes various ministries, missionaries, and adoption ministries and families.

   Within the local community, Mike has devoted his time to several boards, including Canton Academy, Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, and Faith InDeed Foundation (a non-profit based in Madison dedicated to supporting individuals and communities in need) where is also an officer.  He also participates in local service projects with his firm and the MSCPA Days of Service. Mike coached various teams as a part of the Madison-Ridgeland Youth Club for a decade and served as a league commissioner and board member.

   Mike has been described as a valuable and loyal friend with impeccable character and extremely humble. He would rather have others take the spotlight rather than himself.  Mike and his wife Aleen have four children and seven grandchildren.  

   Please join us in commending Mike for his dedicated service to the profession and to his community and congratulating him as our 2026 Public Service Award recipient!