International security consultant Hamilton “Hammy” Mixon was honored as the Alumni
Association’s 2013 Alumnus of the Year. A native of Amite and former Louisiana State
Trooper, Mixon, who most recently was director of global security for the popular
social media web site Facebook, was recognized at the Association’s Alumni Awards
evening.
The 1979 graduate with degrees in criminal justice, psychology and sociology credited
his alma mater with providing him a network of classmates, mentors and others who
assisted him throughout a career that started as a trooper with the Louisiana State
Police and led to high level security positions with several international firms.
“Southeastern helped prepare me for the road ahead,” said Mixon. “Southeastern gave
me the foundation, and I would not be where I am today were it not for that. I am
humbled, overwhelmed and surprised by this honor.”
“I spent four of the most phenomenal years of my life here,” he recalled. “With no
offense to other wonderful universities in Louisiana and throughout the United States,
Southeastern just offers a personal atmosphere that you’re just not going to find
everywhere.”
Mixon joined the Louisiana State Police following graduation at Southeastern and served
in a variety of capacities, including the Criminal Intelligence Unit, commander of
the Governor’s Mansion; and with the Public Safety Public Information Unit. He retired
after 17 years with the State Police and entered the private sector as director of
corporate security for Jazz Enterprises, a gaming and hospitality company headquartered
in Baton Rouge and Reno, Nev. That experience opened the door for him with Healthcare
Security Services in San Jose, Calif.
For eight years Mixon served as director of corporate security for Genetech, Inc.,
the world’s largest bio-pharmaceutical company. He also worked for Vertex Pharmaceuticals
in Boston before joining the multi-national computer technology company Oracle.