When it comes to helping his community, Mark Buys knows only one way to go; all the way.

“That’s always been my makeup,” he said. “If I’m going to be part of an organization, I’m going to get involved to the point where I’m going to be chair at some time.”

A Vicksburg native, Buys is president of BancorpSouth’s Vicksburg Division. His involvement in the community as a volunteer began when he graduated from Ole Miss and returned home to work for then-First National Bank.

Over the years, he has served in several positions with United Way of West Central Mississippi.

He is a member of the NRoute Transportation Board, Red Carpet Bowl Board, held volunteer positions with the American Cancer Society, and was the county’s Economic Development Foundation chairman in 1994.

He has also served on the board of directors for Porter’s Chapel Academy. He is a member of First Baptist Church, where he is a deacon and Sunday school teacher, has served on the church executive and finance committees, and is past chairman of the church’s strategic planning committee.

“I’ve been a volunteer and giver for United Way for 30 years,” he said, adding he became involved with the organization through Jerry Hall, who was then president of First National.

“He was heavily involved in United Way, and he asked for my participation, which I gladly gave. Banks and bankers have always taken the position we’re not just bankers, we’re community leaders, and organizations like United Way, which help and impact so many people in so many ways in our community, are just a natural fit.”

Buys began working with United Way as a division volunteer helping seek support for the organization from local businesses, and moved into other positions, including chairman of the United Way Board of Directors. He has also filled in as the organization’s temporary treasurer.

“Chairman is a great opportunity to serve and to be part of the community,” he said, “And to know that you’re helping someone who’s not as fortunate as you are. And I know of no better organization, locally, to guide and direct and be a part of.”

He said the United Way staff “are great stewards with the dollar investments, (and) I have to say every executive director I’ve been associated with at United Way has been an outstanding individual. Their hearts are in the right spot and it’s been a pleasure to serve with them.”

He has also worked with United Way agencies like the Boy Scouts, the YMCA, where he serves on the board of directors, and has served on the Salvation Army board.

“I’ve always been involved with the Y,” Buys said. “I’ve been a member since my corporate life began, but even as a child growing up, I was involved in all the athletic programs, and virtually, I was like living there when I was a child. It was a program for the community, and I lived and breathed it.”

Another organization he has a long tenure with is the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce, where Buys is president-elect.

At the chamber he has been involved in fundraising campaigns, served on the chamber board, held vice president positions and served as treasurer.

As president-elect, he said, “the job is up the individual. They can be vice president of a division, or they can help with overseeing the presidential duties with the current president. Last year was economic division vice president. This year I serve as an assistant to the president.”

Unlike the county’s Economic Development Foundation, the Chamber’s economic development division is not a recruitment organization.

“What we do is oversee the business after hours functions and serve on the Action Committee, which is composed members of the (Warren County) Board of Supervisors, the city and a group of different directors or different organizations in the community.

“Being chairman of the economic development foundation, that was a heavy recruitment. We made some trips to Washington and other areas around the country, soliciting industry to come to Vicksburg. It was very enlightening activity.”

Buys was named to the NRoute Board of Directors by former Mayor Paul Winfield in 2009, and has remained a member of the five-member board that oversees the city’s public transportation system. NRoute began providing bus service to the city in 2006.

“We’ve been through some interesting times on the board, and I continue to serve,” Buys said.

“I’m very glad to be part of an organization that’s well-run, there’s good leadership there, and I think the community can be proud for that service to be offered to our community.”

Buys has been on the Red Carpet Committee for 10 years, and calls the annual athletic programs the committee oversees “a great Vicksburg tradition, and one I’m glad to be a part of.” He said the money the program earns and makes on its football and basketball events go to provide scholarships for selected graduating high school seniors.

“It’s been active for over 50 years now, and I think we just hosted our 52nd Red Carpet bowl,” he said. “We see it growing from a football (and) basketball program into hosting a Red Carpet baseball tournament at some time in spring break in the future. I’m glad to serve and glad to be considered.” He said when he was growing up, he had no idea one day he would be so involved as a volunteer helping his community.

“I was clueless as to really what life was going to be like once I got out of school and began my corporate career.

“But once I got involved and began my career, I loved it. I wanted to make a contribution to my community. I love Vicksburg and I want to see Vicksburg continue to grow and prosper. Vicksburg has so much to offer and we use our assets well. I think the best is yet to come.”