Four University of Mississippi School of Law alums have been named to the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025: Christa Alexander (J.D., 12), Davis Gates (J.D. 15), Teresa Jones (J.D. 23) and Marie Wicks (J.D. 16).
The program, which recognized its inaugural class in 2022, celebrates the personal, professional and philanthropic achievement of successful Ole Miss graduates under the age of 40 in a broad range of industries.
“These outstanding alumni exemplify leadership in their industries and communities, and I am delighted that we can showcase their achievements through this program of recognition,” said OMAA CEO Kirk Purdom (B.A., 93).
Christa Alexander is President and CEO of Arriva, a telecommunications company started in 1923 by the Fail Family. 
She is the fourth generation to carry on the legacy of Arriva. An attorney by education, Alexander, originally from Bay Springs, Mississippi, rejoined the family business in 2012 as in-house counsel. She is passionate about sustaining the vitality of small-town America and is committed to strengthening rural communities by bringing the benefits robust broadband access can offer.
Alexander is also active with many industry organizations and has served as past-president of both the Telecommunications Association of the Southeast (now BAAM: Broadband Association of Alabama and Mississippi) and past-president of the Georgia Telephone and Broadband Association. She was awarded Grassroots Advocate of the Year in 2020 by NTCA- The Rural Broadband Association.
In 2021, she was appointed to the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Board of Directors by Gov. Tate Reeves. She was named a top 10 finalist by the Mississippi Business Journal as a Top 50 Distinguished Business Women in 2023. Earlier this year, she joined the board of the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology.
At Arriva, Alexander remains a zealous advocate for the rural broadband industry at the national, regional, and state levels and enjoys being closely involved with shaping policy that promotes rural connectivity.
Davis L. Gates is the senior rates and regulatory analyst for legal and government affairs at Atmos Energy. His extensive experience and understanding of regulatory compliance and rate structures within the energy sector allow him to ensure
both corporate and public interests are aligned.
Beyond his role at Atmos, Gates serves as city attorney and prosecutor for Terry, Mississippi, his hometown. As city attorney, he provides legislative counsel, drafting, and revises the city’s code of ordinances and advises its board on the meaning of legislative enactments. In his role as prosecutor, he works with law enforcement to investigate crimes, determine whether charges should be filed and prosecute cases in court.
He previously served as the legal and policy adviser for the Central District of the Mississippi Public Service Commission, where he provided critical guidance on legal and policy matters to the commissioners. Gates earned his J.D. and B.A. in Public Policy Leadership and Political Science from UM. His dedication to legal excellence and community impact has earned him recognition as a rising star under 40 in Public Utilities Fortnightly.
Teresa Jones in an environmental associate attorney at Baker Botts in Houston, Texas where her practice spans a wide range of issues, including compliance, safety, incident response, litigation, and high-stakes transactional matters. 
Jones advises clients on regulatory enforcement actions by state and federal agencies, conducts internal investigations, and provides general environmental counseling. She also assists corporate clients with due diligence and advises on litigation and regulatory risks associated with environmental assets.
A “double Rebel,” Jones earned her both her B.A. and J.D. from UM. While in law school, Jones was named a Business Law Fellow and a Thad Cochran Scholar. She also served as a visiting student at George Washington University Law School and externed at the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of General Counsel. Before her legal career, Jones developed nearly a decade of experience across government, serving in roles at the White House, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the city of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Her work with public and private stakeholders equips her to adeptly navigate the broad impacts of environmental law. She is passionate about advancing environmental, energy, and economic justice, and she is dedicated to leveraging her legal expertise to drive positive and impactful change.
Marie Wicks is an appellate attorney for the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the USDOJ through the Attorney General’s Honors Program, Wicks served as a law clerk for the Hon. E. Grady Jolly of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Wicks earned her B.A. degrees in International Studies and French with a minor in Chemistry from UM. She was a student in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Croft Institute for International Studies, and in 2012 she was inducted into the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame.
Following her undergraduate career, Wicks served as Miss Mississippi 2012. After her year of service, she began her legal education at Ole Miss, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Mississippi Law Journal and was a member of the Moot Court Board. She remains actively involved with the Ole Miss Law School community. She has served on the Ole Miss Law Alumni Board of Directors, and is currently serving as chair of the Mississippi Law Journal Board of Directors.
“The Class of 2025 did not disappoint, boasting young alumni from Ole Miss with diverse careers in finance, health care, communications, higher education and governmental affairs,” said Sunny Brown (BSFCS 09, MA 11), assistant director of Alumni Affairs who organized the awards.
All recipients were recognized at a ceremony Friday, March 28 followed by a celebration a Circle and Square Brewery.