Mabus, Raymond Edwin Jr.

1948 - Born on the 11th of October in Choctaw County, Mississippi.

Earned three degrees: a bachelor of arts from the University of Mississippi (summa cum laude); a master's in political science from Johns Hopkins University; and a law degree from Harvard (magna cum laude).

1983 - Mabus was elected State Auditor of Mississippi in his first campaign for public office.

1988 - Elected Governor of the U.S. state of Mississippi on the slogan, "Mississippi Will Never Be Last Again."

1994-1996 - Appointed U. S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia by President Bill Clinton.

2006 - Became Chairman and CEO of Foamex International.