The Social Security Administration has named Raymond native Mark C. Walker the area director for Mississippi.

Walker had been deputy assistant regional commissioner for Management and Operations Support in the Atlanta regional office. He replaces Connie Surber who retired after 36 years.

Walker began his career with the administration in 1982. He has been district manager in the McComb, Brookhaven and Columbus field offices and was acting deputy area director for Mississippi from 2005 to 2006 and for north Florida and South Carolina.