P. J. Mills

P. J. Mills (January 10, 1934—January 16, 2021) was an American business executive and politician (Democrat) from Louisiana.

P. J. Mills was born Percy Joseph Mills, Jr. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on January 10, 1934, to Percy J. Mills, Sr. and Gladys Mills. He was the only child.

After graduating from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1951, he attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from where he received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and then his Master's Degree in Government and Public Administration.

While at the university, Mills was awarded the first J. Kimbrough Owen Fellowship for graduate study and worked at the Public Affairs Research Council. He also received further education from the Southern Methodist University Graduate School of Banking.

In 1959, Mills and his wife Jennie relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, where Mills accepted a position as manager of the Governmental Affairs Department of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

Later, he moved into banking, becoming the Vice-President of Pioneer Bank & Trust Company in Shreveport. During his ten years at the bank, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives from Caddo Parish. He was also a member of the storied group named "The Young Turks" that worked to reform

Louisiana's political system.

In 1971, Mills and the family relocated to New Orleans when the then-governor Edwin Edwards appointed him as the director of the newly created Louisiana Superport Authority. The agency was established to permit, build, and operate the first offshore deepwater supertanker terminal in the United States. He remained with the agency until construction began on the facility in 1975.

In 1976, Mills left public life and went back to the business world, joining Leon Irwin & Company Insurance Agency. In 1989, at the behest of Governor Buddy Roemer, Mills returned to public service and served as Roemer's Chief of Staff for four years.

From 1993 to his retirement in 2000, Mills served as the President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Louisiana. During his tenure with BCBS, he brought the firm back to financial stability and increased its public confidence.

Mills was married to Genevieve Grace, whom he met while attending Louisiana State University. They had six children.

Mills died in New Orleans on January 16, 2021, at age 87. John Bel Edwards, governor of Louisiana, ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Louisiana to be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Monday, January 25, 2021.