The Mid-South Astronomical Society (MARS) was organized February 9, 1971 by Jim Adametz, David Rennie, Clay Sherrod, and Bob Valentine. The first elections were for the year 1972 and the officers were as follows: President James Poole, Vice-President Maurice Ayers, Secretary Clay Sherrod, Treasurer Larry Sessions.
| Presidents of MARS and CAAS | |||
| MARS | CAAS | ||
| 1972 | James Poole | 1992 | Pat Morris |
| 1973 | James Henry | 1993 | Michal Berrington |
| 1974 | James Henry | 1994 | Bill Sanders |
| 1975 | Clay Sherrod | 1995 | Jane Jackson |
| 1976 | Tom Koed | 1996 | John Reed |
| 1977 | Tom Koed | 1997 | Chris Lasley |
| 1978 | 1998 | Dean Williams | |
| 1979 | Tom Koed | 1999 | Beth Lasley |
| 1980 | Clay Sherrod | 2000 | David Reynolds |
| 1981 | Clay Sherrod | 2001 | Corina Reeves |
| 1982 | Clay Sherrod | 2002 | John Reed |
| 1983 | Clay Sherrod | 2003 | Don Lewis |
| 1984 | Clay Sherrod | 2004 | Robert L. Baker |
| 1985 | Charles Hemann | 2005 | James Dixon |
| 1986 | Bruce McMath | 2006 | Anastasia Edwards |
| 1987 | Harry Jamison | 2007 | Rocky Togni |
| 1988 | Robin Roberts | 2008 | John Reed |
| 1989 | Barry Hamilton | 2009 | Don Ferren |
| 1990 | Larry Karp | 2010 | Carolaina Ferren |
| 1991 | Jane Jackson | 2011 | James Fisher |
| 2012 | William Engberg | ||
| 2013 | Darrel Heath | ||