Rodger Wilder Awarded Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast Award by Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce

Rodger Wilder, Of Counsel in the firm’s Gulfport office and member of the Energy Practice, was awarded the Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast Award by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce during its annual meeting on Feb. 20. This prestigious accolade, known as one of the highest bestowed by the local business community, recognizes Rodger for his unwavering commitment to integrity and dedicated service to the community.

Rodger is a fervent philanthropist. He is a founding member of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, serving continuously on its Board of Directors and presently serving his second term as President and CEO. Additionally, Rodger played a pivotal role as a founding member of both the Gulf Coast Business Council and the Knight Non-Profit Center.

Rodger serves as co-chair of the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission and sits on the board for the Memorial Hospital at Gulfport Foundation.

In his legal practice, Rodger assists clients on a wide range of business-related issues in the subject matter areas of utility regulation, general business, real estate, non-profit organizations, and litigation.

“Rodger is the type of guy you want as a leader in your organization and in our community,” Adele Lyons, CEO of the Coast Chamber, was quoted as saying about Rodger in the Sun Herald. “He is committed 100 percent to his leadership role and is very actively involved. He continues to give back in meaningful ways, again and again.”

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization representing businesses throughout the Gulf South. It comprises seven divisions and leverages its foundation to conduct professional and leadership development, education and workforce development, and provide scholarships to those seeking higher education.

Rodger’s dedication to community service has earned him various accolades, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for Community Service post-Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Business Journal’s “Leaders in Law” award, and the Coast Young Professional’s “4-Ever Young” Community Leadership Award. In 2024, The Best Lawyers in America recognized Rodger as the "Lawyer of the Year" in energy law in Gulfport.