Jessie has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She is a Registered Professional Engineer. Jessie began to work for the Department in January 2002 as a Civil Engineer in the Bridge Division. She followed the engineering career path in the Bridge Division and the Planning and Research Division until obtaining the position of Consultant Coordinator in 2008.

Jessie became Assistant Division Head of Transportation Planning and Policy in February 2011, Division Head of Transportation Planning and Policy in October 2013, and Division Head of Program Management in 2020. Jessie assumed her present position of Assistant Chief Engineer for Planning in April 2023.