Paul Everett Kinsey
Paul Everett Kinsey
B.S. Spanish and International Business, 1987
College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board
Paul Everett Kinsey never expected Mississippi State University to become the place that defined his life and career. Raised with the assumption that he would attend Ole Miss, Kinsey’s path changed after visiting the Starkville campus and spending time with students and faculty.
“After touring the Mississippi State campus and meeting with students and faculty members, I decided that Mississippi State was a better fit,” he said. “It was an interesting conversation with my parent, explaining my choice.”
That decision led Kinsey to the College of Arts & Sciences, where he pursued degrees in Spanish and international business at a time when global awareness and cultural fluency were becoming increasingly important. He said faculty members challenged him not to take shortcuts and instead commit fully to his education. One pivotal conversation came early in his studies.
“I recall having a conversation with Dr. George Buehler, the department head of foreign languages, as it was known at the time, about trying to test out of my initial Spanish,” Kinsey said. “He acknowledged I could easily test out, but suggested that opposed to taking the easy way out, why not go all in and really learn a language and become a Spanish manager.”
That advice shaped the rest of his academic experience. MSU faculty member Ana Maria Lopez worked closely with Kinsey, creating learning opportunities that extended well beyond the planned curriculum.
“She graciously took the time to offer me learning opportunities beyond that of the planned curriculum and developed a learning course that suited my existing knowledge, but more importantly, expanded on that,” he said.
One of Kinsey’s most meaningful memories came during a study abroad program in Madrid, where immersion was not optional.
“Talk about total immersion,” he said. “The professor for my literature class only spoke Spanish, the books were all in Spanish, so the only option was to hunker down and dig in.”
The experience not only sharpened his language skills but also forged lasting relationships.
“This created a great bonding experience with some of my fellow students,” he said.
Mississippi State traditions also left a lasting mark. “My cowbell,” Kinsey said when asked about his favorite MSU tradition. As the only Mississippi State graduate in a family of Ole Miss alumni, the Egg Bowl became personal.
“For an MSU win, it was ringing in celebration. For a loss, it was to ring out their shouting ‘Hotty Toddy,’” he said.
Dr. Lopez remains the most influential mentor of Kinsey’s college career.
“She taught me to expand my thinking,” he said. “It was she who pushed me beyond my comfort zone and really ‘forced’ me to extend myself not only educationally, but she taught me to apply the same drive in my future endeavors beyond Mississippi State.”
After graduating in 1987, Kinsey continued his education at Georgia State University, earning an MBA in international business. His professional journey quickly became global. He began as director of international sales with Threads USA, traveling extensively throughout Asia, Europe and South America.
“Though short lived, it allowed me travel the world on someone else’s dime,” he said.
Kinsey later joined US Air, later US Airways, where he spent more than 25 years in commercial aviation. He held senior leadership roles spanning operational oversight, emergency response planning, and labor relations. His work played a key role in four airline mergers, including US Airways’ mergers with America West Airlines and later American Airlines.
“The US Airways/American Airlines merger was the most complicated in aviation history resulting in the creation of the world’s largest airline,” he said.
Kinsey said his Arts & Sciences education prepared him for leadership across cultures and industries.
“My A&S education helped me be more open-minded and set aside my personal biases,” he said. “It prepared me to experience different cultures, people, and surroundings so that I could better assimilate into those working environments.”
After retiring from American Airlines in 2019, Kinsey returned to Mississippi and joined Starkville-based real estate brokerage Mississippi Magnolia as director of operations in 2022. A native of Trenton, Tennessee, who considers Tupelo home, he now lives in Starkville near his alma mater.
Remaining deeply connected to Mississippi State, Kinsey serves as chair of the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board and continues to support students through scholarship giving. He also has been recognized for his contributions, including being named the College of Arts & Sciences’ 2024 selection for MSU Alumni of the Year.
Kinsey describes himself as a devoted Bulldog with season tickets to MSU athletics and a love for travel.
“Being semi-retired, I’m lucky enough to be able to spend time with family and friends,” he said. “I can often be found on a cruise ship somewhere warm.”
Kinsey encourages Mississippi State students to consider the long-term value of their time in Starkville. “Mississippi State is a special place,” Kinsey said.
“I made a conscious decision to move back to Starkville, reengage with the community, the university and friends,” he said. “That alone is one of the most important things I ever did in my life.”
When asked to describe his Mississippi State experience in one word, Kinsey said, “life-changing.”
“Were it not for the opportunities presented, the instructor I selected, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”